PM Shehbaz orders reduction in power load shedding across Pakistan

Premier directs provinces to join campaign against power theft amid heatwave

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed provincial governments to join the campaign against power theft and minimise load shedding across the country amid rising temperatures.

According to Express News, Prime Minister Shehbaz chaired a review meeting on load shedding, prevention of electricity theft, and reforms in the energy sector.

The prime minister issued instructions to establish effective and active systems within distribution companies to facilitate timely registration of complaints regarding power outages. "Given the rising heat, there should be minimal load shedding," he said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasised that the purchase of new transformers must strictly adhere to international standards. He also instructed relevant officials to utilise modern systems globally recognised for reforms in the energy sector.

Shehbaz called on provincial governments to fully support the campaign against electricity theft and ensure severe penalties for those involved. He also issued strict instructions to curb load shedding and overbilling.

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During the briefing, it was revealed that from April 1 to May 30, 134 cases had been registered against power thieves, and 90 employees involved in electricity theft had been arrested.

The prime minister was briefed on the progress of the reorganisation of the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC). The next fiscal year's development budget includes a plan to meter 124,611 transformers as part of the energy sector reforms.

With support from the Asian Development Bank, one-third of IESCO's customers are being transitioned to smart meters. The scope of this project will later be expanded to other regions of the country.

Areas with better recovery rates will be load shedding-free, while partial load shedding will occur in areas with defaulters and electricity theft. The prime minister was updated on the progress of the anti-power theft campaign during the meeting.