ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: After the orders from the Ministry of Energy, a crackdown operation has been initiated against power pilferers. Several cases were registered against former assembly members & influential personalities in different cities, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Multan. Those found involved in power theft got served with detection bills worth millions of rupees.
The bills were served in accordance with the provisions of Section 26-A of the Electricity Act 1920 for illegal abstraction of electricity, unfair consumption of energy, direct hooking (koonda), and slowing down meters.
A grand operation identified 330 electricity thieves, including notable personalities, in the Lahore Electric Supply Company region. Around 11 suspects got arrested, while 130 cases were registered. Chief Executive Engineer Shahid Haider supervised the operation on the instructions of the Power Division.
Authorities said that the detection bills charged Rs40.74 million for 1,037,425 units. According to a detailed summary, the amount of detection bills to political personalities are:
- former MNA Mehr Saeed Zafar Padhiar: Rs250,000
- Ex-District Council chairman Rana Ayub: Rs69,457
- Nazar Hussain: Rs264,638
- Nadeem Ahmed Gogh: Rs414,545
- former vice chairman Allah Tawakal: Rs268,112
- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Tariq Javed: Rs205,247
- Zeeshan Ali: Rs129,023
- Sajid Manzoor alias Muna Prince: Rs560,000
- former councillor Rana Ejaz: Rs325,750
- PML-Q Vice Chairman Akram: Rs686,100
- Green Cap Housing Society: Rs3.59 million
The Lesco chief has announced to continue the grand operation without discrimination until the electricity theft is under control. He added that electricity thieves and Lesco representatives involved in theft would be brought to justice.
Crackdown on Gas Theft:
In a similar manner, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) initiated a mass-scale crackdown operation across Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa against gas theft. Authorities detained more than 30 people for the illegal use of gas in the country’s capital. The accused were sent to Adiala Jail.
Courts also imposed heavy fines on those involved in gas theft. A spokesperson from the company spokesman said that the crackdown operation aimed to bring the line losses to zero. Managing Director Amir Tufail announced a mega operation in service areas of Punjab and KP.