Islamabad:
An audit has found a massive overburging fraud involving eight electricity distribution companies (Diskos), which overall pressed over RS244 billion from consumers in an attempt to mask inefficiency, loss and theft in the system.
According to documents obtained by the Express Pakinomist, the audit report postpones serious financial irregularities in the operation of discos in Islamabad, Lahore, Hyderabad, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta, Sukkur and the former tribal areas.
The report reveals that no action was taken against any officials responsible for the illegal invoicing, even if over -time was performed systematically to cover transmission losses, power theft and poor operational performance.
In a shocking revelation, even agricultural deeds and deceased individuals were not spared. Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) alone sent power bills worth the RS496 million to dead customers.
In addition, consumers of zero units were indicted for over 1.22 million units.
The report states that five of these companies in just one month released 278,649 consumers with over -billed amounts totaling RS47.81 billion. Throughout the financial year 2023-24, consumers were invoiced for an additional 904.6 million electricity units.
Despite the companies’ claims that the overconnected amounts have been repaid, no documentation was given to audit authorities.
The audit observed that these companies could not present any items that verified reimbursement, which raised concerns about transparency and accountability.
Among the most irregular cases, Quetta Electric Supply Company (Qesco), which over -alike agricultural consumers of over RS148 billion during FY2023–24, is alleged to hide operational lapses.
Similarly, ten discos billed an additional RS18.64 billion across 1,432 feed.
In total, the RS22 billion was worth the overbill of a loss of a line, the audit reveals.
While some refunds were issued, such as RS5.29 billion for incorrect meter readings and RS2.18 billion in multiple credit adjustments by Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO), the lack of supporting documentation continues to doubt the credibility of these claims.
Auditing authorities have now formally sought clarifications from all eight discos, but so far the distribution companies have not delivered the requested items.
