20,000 workers booked for abetting in power theft

E-Paper | June 09, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Power was informed here on Thursday that cases against around 20,000 employees belonging to several electricity distribution companies had been filed for abetting in power theft.

The committee, chaired by Senator Fida Muhammad, was also informed by special secretary of power division Hassan Nasir Jami that delays were being faced by the power division in taking action against these employees because of slow action by distribution companies.

The committee was informed that Rs150 million had been recovered from electricity defaulters over the past six months.

Rs150m has been recovered from electricity defaulters over past six months, Senate panel told

Officials of distribution companies told the committee of their problems in carrying out instructions of the power division. Senior officials of the Lahore Electric Supply Company [Lesco] said that a case had been filed against a local steel mill owner for electricity theft of over Rs110 million.

However, even after the vacation of the LHC stay taken by the owner of the steel mill, the Punjab police were still reluctant to take action and arrest owners of the steel mills.

The committee was further informed that a comprehensive plan was being prepared by the power division and electricity distribution companies to reduce cases of power theft.

When members of the committee asked why electricity for up to 12 hours was being provided to feeders with high number of cases of power theft, the officials concerned informed the committee that policy decisions were made by the federal cabinet, but when members of the committee pressed further for more details, it was revealed by the officials that the power division had failed to forward the summary to the federal cabinet in this regard.

The committee directed the power division to forward the summary to the Cabinet Committee on Energy that electricity supply should be limited to only two hours a day to areas that fell in high theft feeders.

Senator Noman Wazir demanded that plans being prepared to reduce electricity theft should be realistic and financially viable for consumers.

The committee was informed that the Peshawar Electric Supply Company [Pesco] had been granted permission to conduct a survey for laying 3,000 kilometres of smart cables, while smart cables and digital meters were also being installed in Lesco and the Islamabad Electric Supply Company [Iesco].

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2018

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Business

‘Power theft not possible without staff connivance’

Power theft & fatwas

Power theft reached over Rs53bn in 2017-18

M. Emad

Dec 28, 2018 09:24am

21,000 MW power generation capacity of Bangladesh (December, 2018).

Recommend 0

Aftab

Dec 28, 2018 09:57am

Over billing have been observed in over all Chitral district, for the so called , improving energy efficiency measures

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Ali Sabir

Dec 28, 2018 10:09am

People will do anything for cash in this society. The workers probably used more energy helping steal electricity that in maintaining infrastructure.

Recommend 0

Dec 28, 2018 10:36am

This power theft will continue as long as political parties continue to support 'vote bank'

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SHAHID SATTAR

Dec 28, 2018 10:54am

The year was 1988. The traders had shifted in large numbers to the new posh residential areas of Lahore with the increase in their earnings due to the opening of the so called Dry Ports in the Punjab which in fact were to be the pioneers in the establishment of Duty Free Ports in the country. The first thing they took pride in showing to their guests from Karachi were not the posh lawns or interiors of their houses. They took pride in showing the sealed electric meters which never moved a unit for which they had to pay an amount of Rupees Three Hundred to the meter readers of their area each month. This was irrespective of any number of air- conditioners or other electrical equipments being used in the households. These corrupt elements are not restricted to Lahore only. They are to be found in every nook and corner of the country. Unless they are punished severely for their crimes, there is no possibility of getting rid the nation of the misdeeds being carried on unchecked and shamelessly.

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illawarrior

Dec 28, 2018 11:12am

As well as being charged with theft, I hope all 20,000 workers were instantly dismissed from their jobs. Why does Pakistan tolerate this type of behaviour? Electoral workers don't show up on voting day, teachers regularly abandon their classes, politicians loot routinely, tax evasion is a national sport, now power workers are abetting thieves, and much much more - and yet citizens wonder why the rest of the world isn't willing to help them. It is truly difficult to help those who will not help themselves.

Recommend 0

Knd

Dec 28, 2018 11:12am

Truth is the people are the biggest chors in the country.

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Skkk

Dec 28, 2018 11:49am

This is good news for reforms....its easier to build new plants but diff to reform existing distribution system and cut down losses from corruption

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Human first

Dec 28, 2018 12:22pm

A good 400 w shock should be enough for them..

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Dec 28, 2018 12:48pm

Electricity and other utilities theft can never be effected without aiding and abetting by the "insiders" anywhere and everywhere in the world. The electricity distribution companies in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, where power theft is very common, is not an exception in this case.

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Mansur Ul Haque

Dec 28, 2018 01:05pm

I am interested to know revenue improvement in KPK. The area where PTI is in dominance.

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Saif Zulfiqar

Dec 28, 2018 02:01pm

Power theft is booming in the country with the help of politcians and employee of the Power producers.

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Abdul Jabbar

Dec 28, 2018 02:17pm

"Rs150m has been recovered from electricity defaulters over past six months, Senate panel told". Where 20,000 workers are allegedly involved in power theft the above amount is a peanut. Also if such a big number of workers are accused, it means that many of the high profile officials would also be involved.

Recommend 0

Ahsan Gul

Dec 28, 2018 02:34pm

Big time electric stealings can only occur with the help of department employees. So, put checks on employees rather than consumers.

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Akram

Dec 28, 2018 05:19pm

it's worse than that, my cousin went from the UK to Jhelum vowed to be honest and pay the proper rates for his business. The Wapda people would harass and continually cut off the power even though he was paying the bill. In the end he was forced to pay the local electric mafia to ensure proper power supply. If even those wanting to do he right thing are prevented from doing it, how will anything improve? This needs to be fixed from the top. I hope Imran puts in someone who will be effective.

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saksci

Dec 28, 2018 07:20pm

How about also arresting all individual involved giving bribe and list there name in the newspaper.

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Ash Man

Dec 29, 2018 12:43am

15% of total electricity is supposed to be stolen. Such large scale theft is not possible without the connivance of officials.

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