ISLAMABAD:

The Ministry of Energy on Wednesday presented details of electricity theft in 2024 to the National Assembly, revealing a loss of Rs 12.485 billion due to theft last year.

According to official documents, Rs5.83 billion has already been recovered from power thefts. The crackdown led to the registration of 216,000 FIRs and the arrest of 62,452 people involved in electricity theft.

As part of anti-theft, a Distribution Service Operations (DSO) unit has been established in PESCO in the first phase to combat the threat effectively.

In addition, the National Assembly was provided with details of taxes levied on electricity bills by K-Electric. The Ministry of Energy recognized the imposition of eight different types of charges on K-Electric consumers.

The documents revealed that K-Electric collected four types of general sales tax (GST) from consumers, namely normal GST, additional GST, additional GST and retail GST.

In the past year, K-Electric consumers paid Rs102.43 billion under normal GST, Rs3.14 billion under additional GST and Rs11.87 billion as additional GST. Another Rs 1.83 billion was collected under the retailer’s GST. K-Electric customers also paid Rs30.26 billion in income tax, Rs610 million in net metering withholding and Rs1.15 billion as TV license fees during the same period.

DISCOs

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari on Wednesday informed the National Assembly that no Power Distribution Company (DISCO) was handed over to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

However, he noted that special intelligence units comprising provincial officials, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and other stakeholders are helping to curb losses and electricity theft in the power sector.

During Question Time in the National Assembly, Leghari shared that contracts with over 28 Independent Power Producers (IPPs) have been reviewed, saving the national exchequer Rs1.457 billion.

He also shared that since June last year, the electricity tariff for industries has been cut by Rs11 per unit and with Rs4 per unit for other consumers throughout the country.

The minister also announced that the government will stop buying electricity after March this year, as it will transition to an independent electricity market. This system will allow consumers to purchase electricity from multiple suppliers.

He said the Power Division has cut tariff by 45 percent for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and now they will get power at Rs39.70 per unit from the existing Rs71 per unit.

Leghari said special units have been established to improve recovery and check power theft.