IESCO detects 1,870 power pilferers

Recovers Rs33m from electricity thieves

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) has detected a total of 1,870 unauthorised connections of power pilferers in its five circles during March.

In a statement on Wednesday, the company said that over 1.76 million units of power were charged to these power thieves besides imposing fines of over Rs33.1 million during this period.

An IESCO spokesperson said that as many as 7,402 new connections were provided to consumers across the five circles including Chakwal, Jhelum, Attock, Islamabad and Rawalpindi in March.

Providing a breakup, he said that 6,608 connections were provided to domestic consumers, 751 to commercial, 26 to industrial, nine to tube-wells and eight others.

The official added that on the directives of IESCO Chief Executive Officer Shahid Iqbal Chaudhary, they were working to address consumer complaints. In this regard, all field officials were working relentlessly to provide best possible services to the consumers despite a lockdown, imposed to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

Meanwhile, IESCO Chief Iqbal said that their responsibility has doubled during the pandemic, adding that the provision of prompt relief to consumers was their primary mission. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 23^rd, 2020.