Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali. PHOTO: ONLINE
Addressing a press conference from the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) media centre, Ali demanded an explanation from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairperson Imran Khan for his ministers’ alleged involvement in power theft.
Soon after his press conference, protests erupted in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Assembly.
Naming MPAs Fazle Ilahi, Shah Farman, Ahmad Zari and Khalid Khana among others, the state minister accused these lawmakers of failing to ensure that the people in their constituencies paid their dues to Pesco.
“Around 90% of the users in their constituencies are defaulters,” he said.
Ali requested the lawmakers to help the federal government in recovering the billed amount from defaulters.
The minister also said that certain areas bordering Peshawar have become no-go locations for Pesco employees who cannot carry on with their work because of security threats.
Stressing that the no-tolerance policy against power theft is for everyone, Ali warned of disconnecting power supply to Bannu if line losses are not reduced.
Responding to these accusation, PTI MPA Farman told Express News that the Pesco chief was the root of all the corruption and losses.
He questioned why the federal government did not replace the chief of Pesco when the chiefs of all other power companies were removed.
Farman accused PML-N of protecting the corrupt staff of Pesco.
COMMENTS (79)
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@Farooq you better read the contract and terms and conditions on these so called Federal Dam" these dams are based in KPK , KPK has invested its Huge land for this purpose. Federal govt owe KPK 1400 billion already. Go get your records straight ,All dams that are based in KPK are constructed on KPK land, not on Federal land. That is provincial govt. investment into so called Federal project. Fed govt owe KPK huge dues already. So misguiding yourself, shutup.
Sick politics! Stop the blame game and work. Both, KPK and Punjab need a lot to fix.
PTI is protecting the thieves who are not paying electricity bills.
@Khurram Awan: Since when is this responsibility of lawmakers to collect the Power bills? This is the Task entrusted legally to FIA which is federal Department under Ch Nisar PLM N,
Abid Sher Ali is 100% right.
PTI needs Burnol now.
PTI will not be elected again in KPK. They are ruling KPK because of Nawaz Sharif who respected PTI mandate in KPK and did not attempt to make KPK government. PTI should avail the chance and do something instead of doing dirty politics of hate, provincialism and lingual differences.
@Xnain: I am not here to defend a party. PTI's work is defending itself. Giving you a list of the positive measures is not viable. However, you must realize that bashing PTI does not justify any anti-people move taken by PML-N. Wake up buddy, Nawaz isn't here to help us. He lacks leadership and courage both, and is headstrong in driving the country down to a failed state. Nothing but a puppet controlled by foreign lobbies, whose looted cash has become the shackle around his neck. Bash anyone you like, but you must not let a false sense of loyalty sway you from standing against oppression.
we are generating power in excess,,,,,it should be either discounted or free to us
I see a lot of PMLN paid trolls of Punjab. Shame on you for being sold out for few dollars.
@vick: Faisalabadians dint elect him. He elected himself by casting thousands of fake votes. He is a shame to PMLN let alone Pakistan. He does not fire the Pesco chief because both are corrupt. Hand over PESCO and PTI will handle it from there.
@Ammar all of this would have been impossible without electricity which comes from KP. Hence your argument is invalid.
@The Failed Rebel: What wonder has PTI done in economic revival? The same Imran Khan Sahib who eagerly chanted the mantra of raising taxes couldn't even impose a single tax (other than that on NATO supplies) in KPK.....a typical example of hard talk, no actions.
@desertcking: Had Punjab been an independent state, we would have been in far better situation.....The day when Nationalism starts emerging in Punjab, the travel from Pakistani Punjab to Greater Punjab won't take more than few years. Despite paying more than 90% of the bill, the province endured one of the worst power outages, the whole industrial and agricultural base was willingly destroyed by the nexus of PPP,ANP and MQM but not a single one complained. And yet, ironically Punjab is still the best performing province. Like they say, mehnat kar, hassad na kar. While ANP and PPP,MQM were busy in plundering whatever remained, Shahbaz's progress remained miles ahead. There is power theft all across the country, however, the ones who protect their thieves in the name of ethnicity are the worst of their kind on this land.
We (K-P) want freedom from punjab. How about that?
Observing the majority comments the conclusion i deduce --- when Punjab(is) steal electricity we (KPK)too have a right to steal electricity. yes, Perfect and Great logic. Pakistani Zindabad
KPK government has already said that they should hand over control of PESCO to them. Instead of complaining they should give them the right to collect if the government can't do its job. It is the federals prerogative to collect dues.
No doubt this man is EVIL. With just one press conference he has spitted so much venom, mischeives and hatred that all of you are quarrelling like mad.
He should be charged for treason as all the provinces are asking for seperation now
Not saying that power theft anywhere is justified but just a disparity that the minister should also address as a federal minister of the govt. of Pakistan. He seems to be only raising the concerns of Punjab which is a bit unfair to the other provinces.
Shame on PTI trolls who start making personal attacks instead of addressing the problem. Typical loser mindset of PTI !
@Umar....mention sindh 1 and sindh 2
The whole PMLN Minesters are corrupts obvisouly as the came through a fake mandate. Can Abid Sher Ali has the guts to how to media how recovery done sofar in Raiwand places and his business in Faisalabad. Purposly they appoint anti PTI's PESCO chief to target for political purposes
All matters of PESCO are handled by Federal Government why this person is dragging PTI into this matter? If can't handle just hand over Generation & Supply to KPK government' then they will be responsible'
What about FATA (FEDERALLY Administrated Tribal AREAS), PTI responsible for those areas too ????
@Umar: @Jafri: we contribute 60% of GDP of Pakistan, means in every development scheme we contribute 60%, We Pay for Electricity to Federal Govt( Federal Govt: More than 60% Tenure is from other provinces), We pay for Gas to Federal Govt, We send more than 10 Billion $ USD from Abroad by working hard(more than 70%), We rise crops in our lands which contribute more than 50% GDP, We contribute more than 70% in exports of the country,
During Musharraf and PPP regimes, we faced worst economic crunch but we did not even complain...(for example Nandipur Project Machinery was held in Karachi)
First try to keep a check on your own provincial systems and then come to Punjab...I have just shown you the mirror...
PESCO's generation, billing and recovery is all under the federal government till now. I wonder why PTI/KP government has been dragged in by Abid Sher Ali. He is a minister, he SHOULD know that PESCO and all its function is not under the provincial government.
I still don't understand why people negate PTI and support PML-N. The latter is continuously reeking havoc in the country, especially in the economic sector. All those supporting any positive measure by PML-N are oblivious to the fact that the loan that they took is deemed to decimate any public-service scheme. Be it Youth Loan Program or acquiring funding for dams.
It seems a military coup is inevitable. I hope that this time it is not a bloodless one.
@Jahanzeb Alvi: and Pakistan is flopped because of experienced family team of PMLN!!
@Xnain: i dont know about all sindh but in karachi KESC is doing it for 2 years now
Go PTI Go.
Very sad. Such ministers should be dealt accordingly. No mercy.
Pakistan will be benefited if such thefts of electricity are stopped. PTI should conduct operation in some no-go areas where this theft is done.
FATA comes directly under the federal government. What did they do about it?
hahahahahaha this really made my day :D
*strong textI request IK to please look into the matter. PTI is flopped due to inexperienced team of the captain.*
What else can be expeted from PTI? Corruption is at its peak in KPK. PTI ministers know that they will not get the chance next time. So they are doing as much corruption as they can.
This Abid SHER Ali should investigate his own leaders and backyard rather than trying to find faults and thieves in KP. In fact he should start with his own party. When he was in the opposition he would fight tooth and nail on TV programmes but now he does not even meow on these same shows if he ever decides to take part in them. Mr minister work hard to provide water and electricity to the poor people rather than playing a sleuth in Provinces other than your own. You did not steal power for this reason and I really do hope it was to bring relief to the awam. To govern is not to pry in the affairs of your opponents but to be better than others to serve your people. BUCK UP PLEASE MR MINISTER. THIS IS A POOR PERFORMANCE.
When will we get rid of PTI who is ruining our kpk province. I voted for PTI but now disappointed. They dont have potential to deliver.
PTI government has failed in all respects. This is one of many examples. Shame for PTI and PTI nooras.
Shame for PTI who is governing KPK. I think Governor Raj should be imposed in KPK. No hope from PTI.
@Ammar
Yes , break the dam and build a bigger dam in Punjab from its money if you can. Being a Punjabi, I know there isnt an inch in Punjab that can be used for power generation purposes. Stop creating hatred and occupying other province's resources. Gas come from Balochsitan, coal from Sindh and Water and electrcity from KP and yet this racist has the audacity to call other theives when his own uncles' Ittefaq fondary is the defaulter? When the hishest gas theft cases are reported in Lahore and Faislabad? Shame of you and may God save this country from anarchist like you and your leader.
PTI media cell again in full action.
Argument should be answered with the argument. If Abid Sher Ali has given some argument, PTI should reply with the argument. But they are doing personal attacks on Abid Sher Ali without giving any valid argument. Afsos sad Afsos.
A crck down should be done against the culprits. It is a very serious issue which should be appropriately handled by provincial government. PTI persons continuously criticize every statement from PML-n official without deep analysis of the issue.
PTI is criticizing every matter of federal government. Its better for them to look into the provincial matters. This subject matter should be addressed by PTI at top priority.
Please take indiscriminate action against power thieves & their protectors. PTI leadership should stand for justice across-the-board and help the Government in catching power thieves, who have been robbing our fundamental right i.e., electricity.
There are some areas in KPK where there is no writ of government. No one pays electricity bills there. This loss is distributed on the other areas of country.
he has said it very rightly. There are many towns and villages in KPK where there is lot of theft of electricity. PTI provincial government should take up this issue.
Mr. Abid, your "Uncles" are still a defaulter of LESCO! http://www.lesco.gov.pk/news&media/5000071.asp
Entire country will be benefited if power theft is stopped in KPK.
This minister is a pure psychic case of a racist superiority complex. KP should have the right to its own electricity first, there is more load-shedding in KP than in Punjab, though electricity produced by KP is way beyond its requirement.
I wonder why faisalabadians elect him? Good for nothing...just to chant slogans of his masters
This is frustration boy!!!!!!
You can not express it over Mushi...................So better do it over KPK :)
This guy is good for us. He is keeping us on toes in KP. I know he is doing all this as a political stunt with no intentions of doing good but to score points but this put pressure on us and our Govt. will try to do better than this.
@Jafri: Laton kay Bhoot Baton sa Nai mantay...its the time to cut off the electricity to all those people/regions where default rate is high...
or else give back our(Punjabis) Money so that we can built Power Plants in our province and live happily...
Now its the time people will start chanting anti Pakistan slogans as they are being asked to pay their electricity bills...how pathetic...
IK should immediately address this issue of Great National Interest...and plz dont make any excuse as people are really fed up of your childish acts...
its quite a shame that only Punjabis pay their bills...everyone else is just enjoying on our TAX PAYED MONEY...
Nobody should be pointing fingers on PTI. Imran Khan is a very sincere leader. He will sell his 300 kanal house in Islamabad to pay for the PESCO losses. Expect an announcement soon!!
Good work Sher Ali. Pesco and Hesco are the most loss making distribution companies and must be tackled with an iron fist.
90 percent defaulter rate in some constituencies of PTI lawamakers is actually pretty shocking. I hope PTI will took their lawmakers to task as the whole of Pakistan is suffering due to circular debt and PTI must take their part to get the money from all of these defaulters.
A typical Punjabi approach by Abid Sher Ali blaming others without looking into their own courtyard. He should give the figure of defaulters of each province and FATA. He must distinguish between defaulters of FATA who come under purview of Governor who is a part of Central Government and not KPK.
He may dare to visit Waziristan, Kurram, Mohmand, Khayber (Particularly Tirah) and other agencies and semi-settled areas adjust-ant to cities of KPK for recoveries and reduction in line losses to serve best national interest.
A Peshawary
@Jafri: Well just take any newspaper and turn on the leaf of action against the electricity theieves and the only news you'll get about the action being taken would be from Punjab only. Tell me which other province has started and maintained anti theft drive?
Actually KPK bill recovery is worse.. I wont be surprised if what this guy claims is true..
This Man is an evil. One day he threatens Karachiities and the other day he travels to other part and threatens people there while protecting his own defaulters and electricity theieves in Punjab.