PESHAWAR: The National Accountability Bureau, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has approved probe into the mega scam of over-billing amounting to Rs240 million by Pesco officials in Hazara division.

Taking cognizance of the complaints regarding over-billing of 40 million extra units against 25,000 consumers, the bureau had authorised an inquiry, according to a statement issued here on Tuesday.

During the course of the inquiry, it was revealed that the officials of Pesco in Hazara-I and Hazara-II circles, in connivance with each other, charged fake, fabricated, maneuvered and exaggerated units into official records against the consumers contrary to the original meter reading.

These fraudulent, dishonest and exaggerated figures were used by officials to conceal their misdeeds and theft caused with their connivance, resultantly putting extra financial burden on general public without any justification.

Further, upon receiving complaints from consumers, the corrupt officials illegally issued meter change orders (MCOs) to consumers in Pesco record, though no meter was changed on the ground.

During the inquiry it was also revealed that in other three circles of Hazara comprising hundreds of thousands of consumers, the same modus operandi had been adopted by the officials of Pesco, the NAB statement said, adding that an inquiry would also be initiated shortly against the power company officials in that regard.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2017