PESHAWAR: Peshawar Electricity Supply Company (PESCO) spokesman said on Monday that stealing of electricity is a social crime and up to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and ten million rupees fine or both could be imposed against the power stealers.
PESCO spokesman Usman Aslam said that, like houses and banks robberies, electricity theft was also a crime. Besides 3 to 7 years of rigorous imprisonment in jails, a fine of one to ten million rupees or both could be imposed against the power thieves under the law, according to APP.
He said that videos of the direct hooks of the accused involved in power theft were being prepared so that prompt legal action could be initiated against them.
Usman said PESCO had suffered 42.10% losses due to electricity stealing this year against 42.15% in 2022, showing a 0.5% reduction due to a crackdown against electricity stealers.
The anti-electricity stealing operation has been intensified in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where more than 600 direct hooks were removed besides imposing over Rs8 million fine, he said.
He said applications for registration of FIRs against more than three hundred persons involved in electricity stealing were submitted by the SDOs.
The spokesperson said that the electricity stealers, who were caught red-handed, were handed over to police.
PESCO Concentrates on Recovery of Outstanding Dues
He further said that PESCO was also concentrating on the recovery of the outstanding dues in the province, where 92% recovery was achieved this year due to the successful strategies and actions of the company against the defaulted domestic, industrial, and agriculture consumers.
Keeping in view the shabby economic situation of the country, he said a crackdown against electricity thieves was the best option to provide relief to consumers in billing.
He said that protest is no solution to any issue. It is also the responsibility of the public to make a close vigil on their surroundings and inform PESCO authorities for timely action against power stealers.
The spokesman urged people to call 118 to provide information against elements involved in power theft so that prompt action could be taken against them.
