PESHAWAR, April 27: NWFP Governor Khalilur Rehman has asked the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) to take concrete measures to curb power pilferage in the province and tribal areas and make people pay their monthly electricity bills. The governor took serious notice of thefts of electricity, particularly in Peshawar and Bannu circles of Pesco as well as in tribal areas, bordering with Fata.

During a recent meeting at the Wapda House here, the governer asked for taking effective measures to not only curb electricity theft but also to ensure recovery of electricity charges.

According to an official handout issued on Tuesday, the governor also took notice of Pesco complaints against the local police for showing reluctance in lodging FIRs against defaulters.

The handout contained that Mr Rehman assured Pesco authorities that he would hold a meeting with NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani as well as the heads of relevant law-enforcement agencies to ensure the writ of law in each and every area of the province to help the company overcome the power pilferage and recover arrears from the defaulters.

Presiding over a meeting after inaugurating the newly-established Central Complaint Cell, during his visit to the Pesco Headquarters here on Tuesday, the governor said: “We should evolve a comprehensive strategy not only to ensure safety and security of the government officials performing public duties but to secure the government assets as well.”

Pesco authorities informed the governor that 4,100 complaints were lodged with various police stations but the local police registered only 10 FIRs.

The governor, contained the handout, termed the situation as alarming and urged the need for taking solid steps to rectify the situation.

Responding to various points raised during the briefing, the governor said that Pesco must come out with workable proposals for a lasting solution to their difficulties.

On this occasion, he also assured his support to the company in resolving their problems and ensuring security to its staff and assets.

He also appreciated the steps taken so far by the company for the improvement of the working of the organization and said that it should continue its efforts, particularly to ensure complete transparency in its affairs.

Welcoming the establishment of the Central Complaint Central under the direct control of the chief executive, Pesco, having the latest communication facilities, the governor also desired to take steps to further expand the network and provide sufficient number of additional telephone lines to make it more approachable to the common people.