The federal government has decided to conduct a comprehensive technical audit of all power distribution companies (DISCOs) to determine the extent and causes of electricity theft, distribution losses and overbilling.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the committee formed under the prime minister’s directive on inefficiencies and electricity theft in DISCOs, co-chaired by Senator Ahad Cheema and Power Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari.
According to media reports, the committee directed the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication to provide technical support and facilitate the audit. An Expression of Interest will soon be issued to hire qualified experts, while the terms of reference are expected to be finalised next week.
The audit will identify the scale and geographical concentration of theft and technical and commercial losses, enabling the government to take targeted measures.
Cheema said consumers would not be burdened with the cost of theft or inefficiencies and termed overbilling unacceptable. Leghari said the Power Division was working to reduce theft and losses, particularly in high-loss DISCOs.
The committee also reviewed solarisation pilot projects in PESCO and QESCO areas and stressed greater use of digital tools and reliable data to improve monitoring and accountability.
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