ELECTRICITY theft has become a national tragedy, bleeding Pakistan’s economy by an uni-maginable Rs. 600 billion every year. This staggering revelation by Federal Minister for En-ergy Owais Leghari lays bare the depth of systemic decay and societal negligence that has turned a fundamental utility into a battlefield of chaos and corruption. While the country boasts a surplus of 6,000 megawatts of electricity, it remains withheld from consumers—not due to a lack of supply, but to prevent an additional Rs. 2 to 2.5 billion in losses caused by rampant theft. Feeder lines plagued with illegal connections, unauthorized transformers and unchecked corruption have transformed the power sector into a sinking ship, dragging the nation down with it.
The extent of this theft is both shocking and shameful. Line staff attempting to remove ille-gal connections are met with mobs brazenly defending their crime, daring officials to act against them. Even more troubling, some power sector employees themselves promote ille-gal kundas over legitimate meters, feeding this cycle of lawlessness.
The regional figures ex-pose the vastness of this crisis: Rs. 137 billion vanishes annually in Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) and tribal areas, Rs. 133 billion in Punjab, Rs. 100 billion in Balochistan, Rs. 51 billion in Sindh, and Rs. 65 billion in areas like Peshawar, Mardan, and Nowshera. These numbers are not just statistics; they are a reflection of a system that has failed its people.
This theft is more than just financial damage—it is a moral catastrophe. Honest consumers, who struggle to pay inflated bills, are left to subsidize the dishonesty of others. Every stolen unit of electricity drives up tariffs for those who play by the rules. Every act of theft robs the country of resources that could be used to modernize its power infrastructure, reduce out-ages and support industrial growth. It is a betrayal of the nation by those who exploit loop-holes while the majority suffers in silence.
Federal Minister Owais Leghari has vowed to combat this crisis with the fervour of “jihad,” promising significant progress within a year. But bold words must translate into bold action. The introduction of prepaid electricity meters offers a glimmer of hope. By requiring con-sumers to pay upfront for electricity, these meters can render theft virtually impossible. They will not only eliminate the need for billing systems but also ensure that every user pays for what they consume. This revolutionary step could dismantle the culture of theft and bring much-needed relief to honest citizens.
However, technology alone cannot fix a problem rooted in societal and institutional failure. This is a fight that demands unwavering political will, strict enforcement and zero tolerance for corruption. Provincial governments, law enforcement agencies and utility companies must unite in this battle, cracking down on those who sabotage the system from within. Public awareness campaigns must hammer home the reality that electricity theft is not a victimless crime—it is an attack on every citizen, every business and the future of the coun-try itself. Pakistan cannot afford to let this cancer spread any further. The consequences of inaction are dire: escalating tariffs, deepening economic despair and a power sector on the brink of collapse.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Quetta
