Power lines become target for addicts

Severing of key transmission wires has left many areas without electricity

PESHAWAR:

In recent days, wires worth millions of rupees have been stolen from areas across the city by thieves who have used axes to cut key transmission lines. Overwhelmed by repeated incidents, the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO), has planned to formally approach the K-P government for urgent action.

In a troubling escalation, drug addicts in Peshawar have started stealing high-voltage electricity cables after previously targeting ground-level items like water pipes, iron manholes, and pumps. These thefts are taking place primarily at night across multiple areas, including Chamkani, Doranpur, Northern Bypass, Motorway Toll Plaza, Budhni, Ring Road, Tehkal, Hazarkhwani, and GT Road.

In the past few days, PESCO's transmission lines have been repeatedly targeted by addicts who risk their lives by cutting and stealing heavy cables for resale. One incident near the Motorway Toll Plaza involved thieves using axes to sever valuable lines under the cover of darkness. Just two days later, another line was stolen from Northern Bypass in the Shahpur police jurisdiction. The resulting power outages have caused serious inconvenience to residents, yet most thefts have gone unnoticed by law enforcement or PESCO until after they were reported.

According to Wasif Khan, a resident of Chamkani, a new black market has emerged for stolen heavy copper wires. "Locals have previously caught addicts mid-theft therefore, they now avoid populated areas and instead target major roads at night," said Khan.

An addict from Northern Bypass revealed that previously, addicts stole water pumps and iron containers from residential areas. However, due to increased CCTV surveillance, they now focused on stealing power cables from remote or rural roads. "Even a small piece of wire can fetch Rs3,000 to Rs4,000," said the addict.

In a tragic case last year, an addict was electrocuted while attempting to steal a live transmission line near Northern Bypass. In another recent incident, two alleged heroin addicts were found dead near Galle Baba Graveyard in Tehkal Bala after trying to steal an 11,000-volt power line. Their bodies were badly burnt, and tools typically used to tap or cut live wires were found nearby. Locals believe the men were electrocuted when power was suddenly restored during their theft attempt.

DSP Town Asif Sharif confirmed the bodies remained unidentified. Their video was released for identification, and a formal investigation has been initiated. Police say such fatal accidents have increased, particularly during load-shedding hours when sudden power restoration leads to electrocution.

PESCO spokesperson Usman Saleem confirmed that reports of such incidents have been forwarded to higher authorities, and local SDOs are compiling data. "Emergency teams are dispatched whenever a cable is stolen, as prolonged power outages often push residents towards grid stations, increasing the risk of further damage," revealed Saleem.

Peshawar police sources have revealed that over the past two years, seven addicts and criminals have died during cable theft attempts. Most of these incidents occur late at night when the electricity goes out temporarily. Many victims were electrocuted when power was suddenly restored.

Chief Capital Police Officer (CCPO) Peshawar, Qasim Ali Khan, told The Express Tribune that while transformer thefts were commonly reported, wire and cable thefts often went unreported unless there were fatalities.

In a recent joint operation, nearly 2,000 addicts were taken into custody and sent to rehabilitation centers for six-month treatments. However, authorities say many now avoid urban areas and operate from suburban zones, making detection harder. Both PESCO and police officials have stressed the need for a coordinated response to address this growing challenge before more lives are lost, and public infrastructure further suffers.