During the crackdown against electricity theft, hundreds of illegal connections were registered in addition to filing cases against electricity thieves across the country including Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Mianwali, Sargodha, Rajanpur Hyderabad, Badin, Jacobabad and Kashmore. were disconnected.
To make the campaign against electricity theft successful in Sindh, the Chief Secretary has established a special committee, the committee will include representatives of DIGs, District Deputy Commissioners, SSPs, HESCO and SEPCO. According to the notification, the committee will provide the data of feeders with highest line losses.
Multan Electric Power Supply Company (MAPCO) has started a case of electricity theft against the former MPA of the People’s Party, Mumtaz Ali Chang.
On the other hand, the MAPCO team, which was taking action against the electricity thieves in Rajanpur’s Basti Prahar, was taken hostage.
During the operations of MAPCO officials against electricity thieves in Bahawalpur region, the direct electricity supply has been cut off in Hasilpur and Uch Sharif by cutting off the direct electricity supply to houses and agricultural tubewells operated by theft. 258 people have been caught stealing electricity from South Punjab.
The special anti-theft teams of Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) conducted operations in different areas of Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Mianwali and Sargodha and caught 87 electricity thieves red-handed and fined them by disconnecting all the connections of electricity thieves. were also imposed.
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**Interview with Energy Expert Dr. Nadia Khan**
**Editor:** Good afternoon, Dr. Khan. Recently, there has been a nationwide crackdown on electricity theft, with significant actions taken in various provinces. What are your thoughts on the effectiveness of such initiatives?
**Dr. Khan:** Good afternoon. While initiatives like the recent crackdown are crucial, they must be accompanied by systemic changes. Simply disconnecting illegal connections might provide immediate relief, but without addressing the root causes of power theft, the problem will persist.
**Editor:** That’s an interesting point. The government has also formed special committees to focus on the regions with the highest line losses. Do you believe this targeted approach will yield better results?
**Dr. Khan:** It could, but it depends on the execution. Committees need to work closely with local communities to educate them on the repercussions of electricity theft. The involvement of local law enforcement is positive, yet community trust is essential for sustainable change.
**Editor:** We’ve seen instances where officials faced backlash, like being taken hostage during their operations. How do you think this reflects on the relationship between utility companies and the public?
**Dr. Khan:** It highlights a significant gap. This fear and hostility suggest that some communities might feel disconnected from or antagonized by utility companies. Engaging with communities and understanding their challenges can help build a cooperative approach rather than one of conflict.
**Editor:** Given these complexities, what can individuals and communities do to actively participate in reducing electricity theft?
**Dr. Khan:** Individuals can advocate for transparency and engage in dialogue with their local utilities. Community awareness programs can also be initiated to define the long-term impact of electricity theft—not only on their bills but on the overall infrastructure of power supply.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Khan. considering your insights, what debate would you like to spark among our readers regarding this issue?
**Dr. Khan:** I encourage readers to reflect on this: Are punitive measures the only way forward in combating electricity theft, or should we focus more on education and community engagement to foster a culture of accountability and responsibility? This debate could lead to more holistic solutions.
