ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed provincial governments to intensify efforts against power theft and reduce load shedding as temperatures rise. Chairing a review meeting on load shedding, power theft prevention, and energy sector reforms, the premier emphasized the need for effective complaint registration systems within distribution companies to address power outages promptly.
“With the rising heat, load shedding should be minimized,” Shehbaz stated, highlighting the necessity of adhering to international standards in purchasing new transformers. He also urged the adoption of globally recognized modern systems for energy sector reforms.
Provincial governments were called upon to support the anti-power theft campaign and enforce strict penalties for offenders. From April 1 to May 30, 134 cases were registered against power thieves, and 90 employees involved in electricity theft were arrested.
The prime minister was briefed on the progress of reorganizing the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC). Plans for the next fiscal year include metering 124,611 transformers as part of ongoing energy sector reforms. Supported by the Asian Development Bank, one-third of IESCO’s customers are transitioning to smart meters, with plans to expand the project nationwide.
Areas with higher recovery rates will experience no load shedding, while those with defaulters and electricity theft will face partial load shedding. The meeting also reviewed the progress of the anti-power theft campaign.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz announced that his recent five-day visit to China was successful, with a high-powered Chinese delegation expected to visit Pakistan soon. He praised his team’s collective efforts, including federal ministers and secretaries, which contributed to the visit’s success and strengthened Pakistan-China bilateral relations.
Despite security concerns raised during engagements with Chinese leaders and the business community, the visit concluded positively. Shehbaz expressed confidence in the swift and successful execution of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, thanking cabinet members Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Dr. Musaddik Malik, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and relevant federal secretaries for their efforts.
