Overcharging by power companies is unacceptable at any cost, Chief Minister Shehbaz warns

• Strict action to be taken against officer involved in overcharging: PM
• Premier says all resources should be used to achieve Nepra’s goals.
• He expresses concern over the delay in the appointment of CEOs in Discos.

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said overcharging by electricity distribution companies was unacceptable and strict action would be taken against officers involved in such practices.

The Chief Minister made the remarks while presiding over a review meeting on the performance of electricity distribution companies (Discos).

He directed that the installation of smart meters be completed as soon as possible to ensure transparency in the pricing system and asked for concrete measures to prevent electricity theft.

Among other issues, the meeting discussed cases related to Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco), Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) and Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco), a statement issued by the prime minister’s office said .

Chief Minister Shehbaz expressed his concern over the delay in the process of appointment of chief executive officers (CEOs) of distribution companies and demanded to ensure the appointment of CEOs through a highly transparent process and demanded its completion at the earliest.

Recruitment of labor in distribution companies should be based on merit, without compromising on transparency, he added.

The chief minister said that all available resources should be utilized to achieve the objectives of Nepra.

Finance Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Power Directorate Minister Sardar Owais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Information Technology and Telecommunication Minister Shaza Fatima, Finance and Revenue Minister Ali Pervez Malik, Prime Minister’s Coordinator Rana Ahsan Afzal and senior government officials participated in the meeting.

The meeting detailed the achievement of targets which included recovery rates (up to November 2024-25): Lesco: 96.82%, Pesco: 87.98% and Fesco: 97.57%.

Earlier this month, the National Electricity Regulatory Authority (Nepra) decided to initiate legal action against K-Electric (KE) and other power companies after they were found to be overcharging millions of consumers.

“Legal proceedings against all Distribution Companies including KEL under NEPRA Penalty Regulations, 2021 for violation of provisions of NEPRA Act, CSM and tariff terms and conditions etc.,” the energy regulator said in a statement.

The authority took “very serious” cognizance of complaints reported from across Pakistan regarding excessive, inflated and incorrect bills charged by distribution companies to consumers during two months — July and August.