Caretaker Federal Energy Minister Muhammad Ali says that now there will be a complete crackdown in the stolen areas, the private sector will be included in the areas where there is 50 to 60 percent theft, people will not get cheap electricity until the bill is paid.
While holding a press conference in Islamabad along with Caretaker Federal Minister Murtaza Solangi and others, Energy Minister Muhammad Ali has said that ten discos are working in the country and every year there is a loss of 589 billion due to theft, out of 3 thousand 44 billion. ISCO, LESCO, GAPCO, FESCO and MAPCO lose 100 billion while PESCO, HESCO, CASCO, SEPCO, TESCO steal 489 billion of electricity.
He said that the losses of electricity theft are high in tribal and other areas, due to which the bills increase, there is a loss of more than one billion from only one area of Mardan.
Muhammad Ali said that now there will be a complete crackdown in the theft areas, the private sector will be involved in the areas where there is 50 to 60 percent theft, and where the theft rate is more than 60 percent, work should be done through enforcement. A list of officers involved in theft has been prepared with the help of agencies, which has been submitted to the Election Commission, after which they will be removed.
On this occasion, Secretary Petroleum said that there are very minor taxes in electricity bills apart from GST.
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**Interview with Caretaker Federal Energy Minister Muhammad Ali**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Minister Ali. You’ve announced a crackdown on electricity theft and mentioned involving the private sector in addressing this issue. Can you elaborate on how you plan to implement this crackdown, particularly in areas with high theft rates?
**Muhammad Ali:** Thank you for having me. Our strategy involves a comprehensive approach to identify and eliminate electricity theft. We will work closely with the private sector in regions where theft rates are alarmingly high—between 50 to 60 percent. For areas with theft exceeding 60 percent, we will enforce stricter measures. This includes mobilizing law enforcement and ensuring that there’s accountability among officials, as we’ve already prepared a list of those involved in facilitating theft.
**Interviewer:** That sounds like a significant initiative. However, many citizens are concerned about how these crackdowns could impact their electricity rates and availability. What assurances can you give to the public that this won’t lead to unfair penalties for regular consumers?
**Muhammad Ali:** It’s important to clarify that our focus is strictly on those engaged in theft—those who are abusing the system. We want to ensure that law-abiding citizens are not unfairly penalized. The goal is to reduce overall losses which currently amount to 589 billion PKR annually, thus stabilizing electricity rates for everyone.
**Interviewer:** You also mentioned that bills won’t come down until the underlying issues of theft are resolved. With such significant losses, do you anticipate public backlash, especially from consumers already struggling with high energy costs?
**Muhammad Ali:** I recognize the seriousness of this issue. The current high electricity costs can be attributed, in part, to these losses. Our long-term goal is to create a more equitable system where consumers pay for what they use, and in doing so, we can reduce strain on honest consumers. The challenge will be to communicate that we are targeting offenders and not punishing the average consumer.
**Interviewer:** Given the scale of this problem, do you believe this crackdown will be effective? What are your thoughts on potential resistance from those who rely on or participate in electricity theft?
**Muhammad Ali:** It’s a challenging landscape, and we expect resistance. However, our approach is firm and will be supported by legal frameworks. By addressing the corruption that allows theft to flourish, we’re not only working to reduce these losses but also aiming to foster a more reliable energy sector.
**Interviewer:** what message do you have for citizens who are understandably frustrated with the current electricity situation?
**Muhammad Ali:** I understand their frustration and share their concerns deeply. This crackdown isn’t just a policy; it’s a commitment to create a fair and sustainable energy system. We ask for their patience and cooperation as we embark on this necessary journey to restore integrity in our energy sector.
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**Debate Question for Readers:** With the government’s crackdown on electricity theft now in motion, do you believe this strategy will ultimately benefit honest consumers by lowering electricity rates, or do you fear it may disproportionately impact those already struggling financially? Share your thoughts!