LAHORE: Caretaker Federal Minister for Energy Power and Petroleum Muhammad Ali directed on Friday the Lahore Electric Supply Company’s (Lesco’s) management to intensify ongoing operations against power theft and called for severe accountability of officials involved in facilitating power theft during a meeting.

According to an official, the minister received a briefing on the company’s performance and issues.

The minister stressed the utmost importance of holding employees accountable to ensure a better working environment and address power theft-related issues. He was informed that the bifurcation of the company could help manage its affairs more effectively.

According to Lesco Chief Executive Officer Shahid Haidar, Mr Ali met with the Lesco management at Wapda House. He claimed the minister appreciated Lesco’s efforts and directed them to do more. Operations in areas under the jurisdiction of high loss feeders were being tightened with planned and massive operations, including the removal of transformers from premises in cases of power theft.

Earlier, the minister met with top officials from PITC, NTDC, Wapda, and Nespak, receiving briefings on their respective departments.

Power Information Technology Company Chief Executive Dr Muhammad Kashif Shahzaad highlighted their core activities, including integrated software applications and implementation strategies for the power sector.

NTDC Managing Director Engineer Dr Rana Abdul Jabbar Khan addressed the company’s issues. Wapda Chairman retired Lt-Gen Sajjad Ghani and members of the authority briefed the caretaker minister about projects and activities. It was revealed during the meeting that Wapda’s hydel power generation capacity would double from 9,500 MW to 19,500 MW with the addition of about 10,000 MW of low-cost, green, and clean energy upon completion of under-construction Wapda projects in phases from 2024 to 2029.

The minister was also briefed on issues related to transmission lines for the Dasu Hydropower Project and Diamer Basha Dam, as well as matters regarding hydel electricity tariffs and pending payments by CPPA-G.

Nespak Managing Director Muhammad Zargham Eshaq Khan also briefed the minister about the company’s operations.

OPERATION: Regarding Lesco’s ongoing efforts against power theft, the company reported that it had arrested 5,500 individuals in the last 15 days for power theft. Among them, 443 people were also arrested, and a total of Rs105.70 million has been collected from several individuals in relation to detection bills.

The company’s northern circle registered 1,003 FIRs, arrested 45 individuals, and recovered Rs16.42 million. The central circle registered 1,093 FIRs, arrested 15 individuals, and recovered Rs33.64 million.

The eastern circle registered 465 FIRs, arrested 14 individuals, and recovered Rs12.81 million.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2023