HYDERABAD, July 6: Chief Executive of the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) Maqbool Ahmed Khwaja has called upon the office-bearers of the union to help control power theft and recover outstanding dues against consumers.

Speaking at a joint working council meeting of Hesco and the Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Central Labour Union held here on Thursday, he said the company was a commercial organisation that paid salaries and perks to workers from the power dues.

He advised workers to take precautionary measures and wear protective gear while working on live electricity lines. He said that power consumption had increased due to power theft and illegal use of power load.

Special teams had been appointed to check the theft and expedite dues’ recovery, he said, adding that workers must cooperate with the teams in their own interest.

Mr Khwaja pointed out that services around 1,657 employees had been regularized, 44 members of technical staff promoted, 13 employees given selection grade and seven had been granted move-over.

The meeting was attended by Hesco officials, office-bearers of the Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Central Labour Union, Lahore Wapda Director Labour and Welfare Shabbir Ahmed and Deputy Director Services Ali Anwar Jokhio and others.

Central president of the union Abdul Latif Nizamani and general secretary Khursheed Ahmed Khan represented workers.