Energy crisis: PESCO rakes in alleged power thieves, seizes transformers

Power company’s chief says more load-shedding for areas where recovery is low.

PESHAWAR/ BANNU:

Electricity supply would be suspended for more hours than scheduled, where recovery is less than 10%, said Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) Director General Shaukat Afzal on Thursday.

Addressing complaints of unscheduled load-shedding, the director said outages in different parts of the city occurred due to routine maintenance work. He, however, added there has been increased load-shedding in certain areas where recovery of bills is low. “Recovery in Regi area is less than 2%, due to which the area is facing incessant power cuts,” he said. Continuous rains have also disrupted electricity supply in some localities. He claimed Pesco has dispatched teams to repair the lines in such instances.



Meanwhile, it was learnt the power supply of 220KV to Mardan grid station will be suspended on November 9, from 8am to 1pm, due to maintenance work.

Recovery drive

Pesco nabbed 17 more people allegedly involved in power theft during its recovery drive in Peshawar. The accused were later sent on judicial remand.

In Bannu, at least 12 people were arrested and three electricity transformers were seized by Pesco officials in a crackdown to recover outstanding dues.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Bannu Pesco XEN Muhammad Sadiq Dawar said they raided several areas of the district, including Sorani Bazaar. They seized a 100KV electricity transformer supplying electricity to three commercial markets where bills amounting to Rs2 million had not been paid, he added. They also seized transformers of Kam Tarkhoba area and Habib Ghulam irrigation tube well, arresting three people who put up resistance.

Individuals who have unpaid bills exceeding Rs50,000 were also arrested and shifted to the police station while their electricity was cut off.

Wapda’s Bannu Circle Chairman Liaqat Khan said the operation against electricity theft would continue unless consumers pay their bills. “We will not let them go away while others pay their bills,” he said, adding locals should cooperate with officials and inform them about individuals and areas involved in electricity theft.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 8^th,2013.