Technical audit of DISCOs to identify power theft

An Expression of Interest will be issued shortly to engage qualified technical experts for the exercise. The committee decided that terms of reference for the technical audit would be finalised by next week. Ahad Cheema stressed that the audit must include a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of the underlying causes of power theft and losses and produce credible and actionable findings.

"The government is fully focused on reducing electricity theft. Under no circumstances will the burden of power theft or inefficiencies within the distribution system be shifted to the people. Overbilling is completely unacceptable," he said.

Cheema added that findings of the technical audit would enable the government to take targeted and evidence-based measures to reduce power theft and distribution losses. He reiterated that every possible step would be taken to prevent any further increase in circular debt.

Federal Minister for Power Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari said the Power Division was fully aligned with objectives of the committee and was actively working to control theft and losses, particularly in DISCOs where electricity theft remained high.

The committee was also briefed on incentive-based solarisation pilot projects in areas served by Pesco and Qesco where power theft and distribution losses were particularly high. The initiative is aimed at providing solar energy solutions to ease pressure on the electricity network and help address persistent theft and line-loss issues.