ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed to minimize power outages across the country amidst rising temperatures during the summer season.
The premier chaired a meeting regarding massive load-shedding, the anti-power theft campaign, and power sector reforms, and attended by Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Energy Awais Leghari, Minister for Petroleum Dr. Musadik Malik, PM’s Coordinator Rana Ahsan Afzal, and senior officials from relevant ministries, a statement released from the PM Office Media Wing stated.
Prime Minister Sharif emphasized the need for an efficient system in power distribution companies to address consumer complaints promptly. He stressed the importance of procuring new transformers meeting international standards and adopting modern systems for energy sector reforms globally.
Additionally, he instructed provincial governments to support anti-power theft measures and ensure strict penalties for offenders. The prime minister also demanded an end to overbilling practices.
During the meeting, it was reported that 134 cases had been registered and 90 employees arrested for power theft as of May 30. Progress on the reorganization of the National Transmission and Dispatch Company and the inclusion of a project for metering 124,611 transformers in the upcoming development budget were discussed.
Furthermore, collaboration with the Asian Development Bank to install smart meters, initially in IESCO, was highlighted as part of the energy sector reforms.
A briefing on power demand, supply, and the causes of load-shedding was provided, noting that areas with better recovery rates experienced fewer outages compared to defaulting departments and areas with power theft issues.
The prime minister was briefed on the progress of the anti-power theft campaign, with 160,004 FIRs registered, 79,885 arrests made, and 448 employees suspended from September 7, 2023, until the meeting date.
