Federal Minister for Power, Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, and Chief Minister of Punjab, Ms. Maryam Nawaz, convened a meeting via zoom link to discuss strategies for collaboration between the federal and Punjab governments aimed at reducing instances of electricity theft across the province and improvement in power sector recoveries.
During the meeting, both leaders explored various avenues for cooperation and emphasized the need for a dedicated task force at district levels comprising of magistrates, police personnel, intelligence officers, and prosecution experts. This task force will be tasked with taking decisive actions to combat the rampant issue of electricity theft.
Additionally, a consensus was reached on implementing an incentive system to reward officials of provincial government who actively contribute to increased recovery from defaulters and reduction in power theft. It was further agreed upon that strict measures would be taken against individuals including officials of DISCOS found involved in electricity theft, as they not only tarnish the reputation of the system but also hinder its overall efficiency.
Minister assured the Chief Minister that individuals failing to meet performance benchmarks must be held accountable for their inefficiency and subpar performance, as part of ensuring a more effective implementation of policies.
Both Chief Minister and Federal Minister agreed to take further steps to ensure proper prosecution of those involved in power theft for which legal framework shall further be strengthened.
