PAC directs DISCOs to control transmission losses

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday expressed concern over the performance of power distribution companies (DISCOs) and directed them to control transmission losses.

A meeting of PAC was held under the chairmanship of Anna Tanveer Hussain, wherein they reviewed the audit objections of the Ministry of Energy.

The committee members raised the issue of rising electricity bills. Presenting her electricity bill, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) MNA Shahida Akhtar Ali said that 174 units were used but she was charged Rs8,000. “Why do people get punished for faulty feeders or stolen electricity?” she asked.

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Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Sheikh Rohale Asghar said that electricity could not be stolen without collusion. The Energy Division secretary said that they could not carry out monitoring completely due to lack of staff. The secretary added that 17 percent of electric supply was stolen in the country.

The committee members expressed concern over the performance of DISCOs.

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Senator Shibli Faraz said that that the incompetence of companies is affecting the people. “Power companies should have a separate strategy for each circle,” he added.

PML-N’s Khawaja Asif asked why the supply was being restored in areas where electricity was being stolen. Recovery cannot be done until social pressure is created, he added.

Officials also highlighted during the meeting that CASCO has to collect Rs367 billion from Balochistan.