Over 100k power pilfers held in nine months

LAHORE:

Punjab Police arrested 105,753 accused involved in the electricity theft from January 1 to September 30 across the province, with 140,570 cases registered against them. Spokesperson Punjab Police added that challans for 96,800 cases have been completed and submitted, and over 20,000 electricity thieves have been sent to jail.

In the provincial capital, Lahore, 45,242 electricity thieves have been arrested, and 45,728 cases have been registered. Out of these, challans for 23,314 cases have been submitted, and 12,146 accused have been sent to jail.

IG Punjab Dr Usman Anwar has directed that operations against electricity theft be carried out without discrimination, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy against those causing damage to the national treasury.

The IGP instructed that proclaimed offenders in electricity theft cases should be arrested immediately, recovery rates should be improved, and timely registration of cases in collaboration with relevant electricity companies should be ensured, along with a strict action plan.

He also said police will continue to provide strong support to electricity companies in the crackdown.