ISLAMABAD: The subcommittee of the Senate Standing Committee has formulated18 recommendations to check line losses and theft.

It has asked the power ministry, distribution companies and National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) to work on these recommendations and report to the committee.

The subcommittee which met here on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Senator Nauman Wazir Khattak emphasized that boards of all the power distribution companies should be made independent to take decision regarding carrying out 22-hour load-shedding in areas where power theft is very high.

Only one hour of power supply in the morning and evening should be given free of charge to such areas, the committee recommended.

The Convener of the subcommittee said power theft and line losses had been inflicting Rs40 billion losses to Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) over the last few months.

Officials of the ministry of power said several power issues could be solved by bringing about reforms in Nepra’s working.

Through a video conference, the subcommittee was informed that a public sector company of China has shown interest in investing $1 billion in Pesco on the basis of fifty per cent profit.

The subcommittee directed to share the proposal with Nepra and Discos.

Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2018