Govt one of the biggest electricity defaulters, says Khawaja Asif

E-Paper | June 17, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Water and Power Khwaja Muhammad Asif on Friday declared the federal government as one of the biggest defaulters of electricity bills and warned consumers of having to tolerate frequent and prolonged load shedding in the hot summer days to come, DawnNews reported.

Addressing media persons in the federal capital city Asif presented stats and figures related to a decrease in the production of electricity.

He added that non-payment of bills and electricity theft was rampant in the country.

The minister for power and water attributed the increase in load shedding to the increase in temperatures and said that electricity would be provided only to those consumers who paid their bills.

Asif said that the federal government was itself one of the biggest defaulters of electricity bills.

He further said that electricity supply to defaulters was disconnected in all provinces and 2,200 megawatts (MW) of electricity would be added in the national grid system in the next two-three months.

The federal power minister said that alot was yet to be done for curbing line losses and electricity theft.

Follow Dawn Business on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Pakistan

Info minister terms FY2027 budget 'relief-oriented'

6 suspected terrorists killed by KP CTD in 2 separate operations

Bilawal again relays budget concerns, warns of NA boycott if PPP's demands are not met

Harmony

May 02, 2014 02:36pm

Recommend 0

Aam Admi

May 02, 2014 03:10pm

Same story, different day

Recommend 0

Masoud

May 02, 2014 03:19pm

One year plus in the government in Islamabad & Punjab still we have to take this information sportingly. Debts collection is a prime target of any ministry to facilitate the smooth working yet the concerned minister is so helpless, he should either recover all the dues within 60 days or resign from his post.

Recommend 0

Kalam wala

May 02, 2014 03:28pm

This man needs to pay his own taxes first. Then worry about other issues.

Recommend 0

Ahmed

May 02, 2014 03:35pm

All politicians are politicians. This nation is destined towards worse conditions. only repentance can save and nothing else.

Recommend 0

NHM

May 02, 2014 03:39pm

In the past, Asif and his bosses were one of the country's largest bank defaulters , settled their cases at 1/15 of the actual amount owed. Beware,now they are going to do the same with water and power.

Recommend 0

May 02, 2014 03:42pm

The Govt is the biggest defaulter so PAY THE BILLS because of you Politicians the whole country is suffering. So first you tell to each others about the civilians suffering but now you can tell us directly to get ready for suffering.

Recommend 0

Muhammed Ali

May 02, 2014 03:48pm

How can one thief (the govt) catch other thieves?They should lead by example....fat chance!

Recommend 0

wisal

May 02, 2014 04:05pm

Who is going to collect the bills when the government itself is defaulter.

Recommend 0

ishrat salim

May 02, 2014 04:07pm

did they not know about the situation when they were in opposition & making tall promises during election campaign......

Recommend 0

Muhammad

May 02, 2014 04:12pm

No body wants to work on the solution , everyone knows the root cause of the problem. It is time someone starts talking about the solution.

Recommend 0

Voice Of D.I.Khan

May 02, 2014 04:12pm

So you must resign and go home ...!!!!

Recommend 0

Javed Rahman

May 02, 2014 04:17pm

when role models are thieves , what you can expect from public?

Recommend 0

Agha Ata

May 02, 2014 05:41pm

Non payment of bills, corruption or breaking law all these things are done more in the governemnt then in public.

Recommend 0

Shaz

May 02, 2014 05:41pm

Same Story, Different Day

Recommend 0

Yawar

May 02, 2014 06:18pm

And who gives money to the Federal Government? By pointing one finger at the Federal Government, you are pointing four fingers at yourself Khwaja saab.

Recommend 0

Jalaluddin S. Hussain

May 02, 2014 06:33pm

It defies logic: If government is the "biggest electricity defaulters", according to the respected Minister, why should general public suffer?

Recommend 0

Muhammad

May 02, 2014 06:35pm

Minister for Public Works Department (PWD) should be answerable for non payment of Govt:Bills.

Recommend 0

Syed Ahmed

May 02, 2014 07:17pm

And who are taking care of the government - the PML(N), virtually the Sharif brothers. They are out to sell Pakistan resources.

Recommend 0

Shah

May 02, 2014 08:02pm

"federal government as one of the biggest defaulters of electricity bills " but who is in the government????

Recommend 0

Muhammed Ali

May 02, 2014 08:17pm

@ishrat salim Promises are made to be broken, have you not learned anything in 66 years?

Recommend 0

ladies and gentlemen

May 02, 2014 08:17pm

Didn't realize that he has two ministries, Water and Power along with Defense? Whats Abid Sher Ali's role in the water and power department? Boy..... does PML -N have a dearth of incompetent blabber mouths.

Recommend 0

m. a

May 02, 2014 08:34pm

Who can believe this super liar?

Recommend 0

Muneeb

May 02, 2014 09:19pm

A separate news story reveals that by cutting power supply to federal institutions, now they are burning fuel worth of Rs. 1.5 million for running generators everyday! Media stints, tall promises in the face of inexorable facts, making mockery of the whole democratic system and becoming a laughing stock for the world - that's how we can define this incompetent government.

Recommend 0

Shakil Khan

May 02, 2014 10:22pm

Its doesnt add up, who are you complaining to? you are in the government not sitting in opposition to make such statements. Behave like a democrat, after humiliation as defence minister who is against his own Army, and now after failing to deliver on energy crises. Step down if you have some self respect left but not possible from people who won by rigging the elections!

Recommend 0

Anjum

May 02, 2014 10:49pm

Democracy: Government of the People, by the People, and for the People I feel petty that you still think this is a democracy. Our Govt, Army, Judiciary, Election Commission each and every department avoiding recounting Can you raise any building straight having wrong foundation. Dirty Delivery System can only produced dirty outcome. They will only server their power house their lords because they are not elected by votes.

Recommend 0

Ahmed

May 02, 2014 11:38pm

the Respected minister says that to shut up and bear the heat and live without water, and inshallah when in a blue moon we will resolve the load shedding problem. why not decrease demand by making electricity more expensive and mashallah we will have more supply for the ANP infected fata and our able bureaucracy.

Recommend 0

Zak

May 02, 2014 11:46pm

He has disgraced the entire nation. See the web news and discussions, we are made a laughing stock. It is being depicted that the government cant even pay the bills. All this man had to do was talk to each ministry and the finance under the oversight of the PM. If they can't sort their own problems, out how can they sort the countries problems. Shame on them.

Recommend 0

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

May 03, 2014 02:33am

What a joke? If what he is saying is true, then he has to disconnect the supply of electricity to his own house as well as everybody else in the government including the "two brothers" of his own party who are calling the shots in Islamabad since last one year or so. How long can they do so? Only time will tell. In the meantime, what can average hapless and helpless citizens of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan do? For how long they can afford and accept the "musical chair" game at the helm with zero tangible results and no relief for them? I leave the answer to the educated, enlightened, enduring and excelling readers and writers of this great DAWN forum.

Recommend 0

independentthinker

May 03, 2014 02:56am

So, what is the ordinary public supposed to do, if the government default on it obligations? Are we responsible for the mismanagement of funds by the federal government? And him being the minister, appointed by the government, isn't it his responsibility to ensure that the bills be paid, so that they rest of us don't suffer? Only in Pakistan!

Recommend 0

chanpeer

May 03, 2014 04:33am

Thank God, he didnt put the blame on the Army

Recommend 0

Aamir

May 03, 2014 04:35am

you are the government. what are you doing about it? enough shifting blames..

Recommend 0

amjad

May 03, 2014 06:44am

your government said during elections campaign tht u will finish load shedding in six months....tht didn't happen so u r not SADIQ and AMEEN...so according to constitution u all should resign....and go home...

Recommend 0

salman basir

May 03, 2014 07:37pm

It is interesting to see Govt as the biggest defaulter on electricity. I remember a few years ago I had to get some property transfer completed in Lahore and had to go to "Aiwan-e-Adal" for completing the procedures. When I arrived that day at Aiwan-e-Adal-- can not remember the exact date-- there was no electricity and it was raining like hell. The reason there was no electricity was because "Aiwan-e-Adal" had defaulted on electric bill and when WAPDA people showed up to ask for payment that day == Aiwan-e-Adal people beat them. Due to this WAPDA cut off electricity to "Aiwan--e-Adal" This is not hear say-- I was there and had to deal with a couple of days delay due to this situation. All lawyers were happy as they did not have to do any work and were focusing more on Bar Election-- was able to drink a few free cups of Tea because of this. Aiwan-e-Adal should be able to do this-- law is not for them-- they make laws for others. Other Govt. departments should also beat WAPDA and its Minister. How can he ask for bill payment. I love Pakistan-- everyone can make their own laws.

Recommend 0

Zak

May 04, 2014 11:26am

@chanpeer because, only professional institution that has accountability. They pay on time. Only crooks don't pay but pocket the money, and all the crooks are in Government.

Recommend 0

Branded Content

K&N's SmartCooking Recipes: Sausage and Bean Soup

A hearty sausage and bean soup brimming with vegetables, herbs and a rich tomato-infused broth.

Why SQD-Mini LED is the display breakthrough we’ve been waiting for?

The display industry is entering a new phase, where reducing trade-offs is as important as pushing performance limits.

The Palms at Silk Gardens introduces a new family address in Karachi

The Palms places families at the heart of its vision, offering thoughtfully planned 2 and 3-bedroom units in a secure, peaceful and community-led environment.