ISLAMABAD: The Federal Ombudsman Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi after showing concerns over growing numbers of complaints against electricity supply companies directed them to set up citizens facilitation centre and improve complaints management system.

The ombudsman passed these remarks while presiding a meeting, which was attended by Secretaries Energy and Power, Chief Executives of DISCOs against high number of complaints against electricity companies.

According to a press release, the meeting was informed that in 2022 more than 56,000 complaints were registered by the citizens against power sector companies. The meeting noted that the Wafaqi Mohtasib Office provides speedy relief to the common man within 60 days without any cost. This reduces the burden on our civil courts and Nepra. It was informed that complaints involving big sums related to industrial and commercial consumers are referred to civil courts and Nepra.

Consequently, the poorest sector of the society has easy access to Wafaqi Mohtasib’s 17 Regional Offices, spread throughout the country.

The Chair raised the issue that in some cases the Electric Supply Companies have gone to High Courts resulting in huge delays and hardship to poor consumers involving small amounts. These issues and systemic problems were discussed in the meeting requiring urgent action. The Ombudsman advised Ministry of Energy to ensure setting up of facilitation centres at major offices to help complainants and submit a report back to Ombudsman Office after 15 days.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2022