Pesco launches fresh drive against power thieves

Published September 4, 2018
A Pesco worker removes illegal power connections at Scheme Chowk during an operation in Peshawar on Monday. — Photo by Abdul Majeed Goraya
A Pesco worker removes illegal power connections at Scheme Chowk during an operation in Peshawar on Monday. — Photo by Abdul Majeed Goraya

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar Electric Supply Company on Monday launched a fresh campaign against illegal power connections.

Sharing details about the campaign Pesco executive engineer Nadeem Afridi told Dawn that a comprehensive plan had been devised to control the power losses, recover the dues and overcome power theft which will help control the frequent power tripping and low voltage.

“We have started the work following the instructions of Pesco chief Dr Mohammad Amjad and contacted the relevant elected representatives, MNAs, MPAs to extend support to the raiding parties of the power body,” the official said.

On the first day of the drive, he said the consumers of one feeder in various localities, including Arbab Road and Peshtakhara, had been checked where fresh meters were also installed and the out of order meters were replaced. New connections were also given to the people and up to Rs60,000 dues were recovered, he added.

The Pesco officer expressed the hope that the issues pertaining to illegal connections would be controlled because the local elected representatives had assured the company of their full cooperation in this connection. He said if the people started paying the utility bills and stopped using electricity through illegal means then the issues of low voltage and tripping would be solved.

Efforts were also made to talk to the concerned superintending engineer Tahir Jamal but he could not be approached on telephone.

Pesco spokesman Shaukat Afzal said that the raiding teams in different areas would run the campaign without any break to overcome the problems once for all. He said the power theft was directly affecting the ‘good’ consumers as they also had to face the power outages due to the overloaded system.

Published in Dawn, September 4th, 2018

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.