The Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) launch has cracked down on power thieves, apprehending 265 of them and imposing a fine of Rs 20 million. MEPCO spokesperson said on Wednesday that the crackdown was carried out across the MEPCO region in South Punjab. The taskforce teams raided at various places and caught power pilferers of various categories, including domestic, commercial, agricultural, and industrial users.
Cases were registered against 92 power pilferers at various police stations. A major electricity theft was caught in Rehman boys hostel in Gulgasht area. The team led by SDO Malik Kazim Awan detected electricity theft during checking. In Mumtazabad, electricity theft was caught by installing direct wires to 10 shops and a hotel.
The LT line was disconnected to end Kunda culture in Basti Malana Rahim Yar Khan. Likewise, the electricity was being stolen by installing locks on the lines passing over the houses in basti Malook. A grand operation was conducted against power pilferers along with the police force in Rojhan. Only seven meters were installed in more than 50 houses in Basti Randhani, Basti Shiro Khan and Basti Faizullah Tambani.
The transformers were removed due to the high rate of electricity theft in the three villages. Three transformers and LT line were taken down for stealing electricity by installing direct wires in Choti Zerin and Shadan Lund areas.
Meanwhile the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) has cracked down on power thieves, removing over 700 illegal hooks and imposing a fine of Rs 15 million.
According to PESCO spokesman, the crackdown was conducted in collaboration with the district administrations and police. In Peshawar, 215 illegal connections were removed, while 109 were removed in Khyber, 66 in Mardan, 30 in Hazara-I, 90 in Hazara-II, 94 in Swat, 40 each in Bannu and Swabi.—INP
