Electricity theft remains a significant challenge across Pakistan, jeopardizing the financial stability of power distribution companies and endangering public safety. The widespread practice of illegal connections, commonly known as kunda connections—unauthorized wire hookups—has led to severe consequences for both infrastructure and communities. By circumventing essential safety protocols, this practice creates dangerous situations, resulting in electrical fires and electrocutions that are often fatal. According to data compiled by Mehfooz Pakistan, a safety organization, through the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), more than 300 fatal incidents related to electricity theft occurred between 2021 and 2023. In the last year alone, there were 163 reported incidents, including 111 victims from the general public and 52 employees of power companies. Peshawar recorded the highest number of incidents, totaling 80, followed by the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) with 51 incidents, Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) with 48, and Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) with 38. The risks associated with electricity theft extend far beyond immediate physical harm. The reliance on illegal connections places an enormous strain on the electrical grid, resulting in frequent outages and damage to infrastructure. These outages disrupt daily life and can jeopardize critical services such as healthcare and emergency response systems. The impact is particularly acute in densely populated areas, where unregulated wiring can create hazardous living conditions for residents.
