ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco)’s operation and surveillance teams on Sunday caught 43 more electricity thieves and imposed fines of Rs1.9 million on them.

Moreover, First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered and arrests were also made by police in connection with the power pilferage cases.

According to a statement, the anti-power theft campaign launched under the direct monitoring of the government of Pakistan and the Ministry of Energy from September 2023, more than 129,000 meters have been checked in Islamabad, Rawalpindi city, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal circles. From more than 2,000 meters illegal use of electricity was found through different methods such as by slowing down and tampering with the meters and direct use of electricity.

“Fines of more than Rs137 million were imposed on the consumers by charging for more than 2.8 million units. As many as 434 FIRs were also registered and 336 electricity thieves arrested by the police,” it stated.

Iesco Chief Executive Officer Dr Mohammad Amjad Khan said the detection teams had full support of the police and district administration and it was not possible for anyone to consume electricity without paying the bill.

“We will make this campaign 100pc successful. I appeal to the citizens to fully support us in this campaign and report electricity thieves and facilitators on Iesco helpline 118,” he said.

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2023