Power ministry officials held ‘responsible’ for overbilling
1. ISLAMABAD: The power ministry officials have been held responsible for the electricity overbilling as the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) and other authorities have compiled their investigation report into the matter,
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and other investigative authorities have completed a comprehensive report on electricity overbilling in Pakistan, which has been submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office. Sources indicate that the report holds power ministry officials responsible for the overbilling and recommends stringent actions against those involved.
The Prime Minister’s Office is expected to review the report and take appropriate action within the week. The issue of overbilling arose after over 0.3 million power consumers were moved out of the protected category, resulting in inflated electricity bills in June due to a new billing system introduced by Distribution Companies (DISCOs) on the Ministry of Energy’s orders. Consumers in the protected category typically benefit from subsidized rates or exemptions from price increases.
On July 6, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the FIA to investigate officials and officers of power distribution companies who are involved in overcharging consumers by adding extra units to their electricity bills. He emphasized that these “anti-public” officials should be punished and exposed before the nation, particularly those involved in charging excess units to protected consumers who use below 200 units per month.
Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi has also ordered the FIA to collect data from all DISCOs regarding their treatment of protected consumers. He expressed serious concern over the inclusion of protected users in the non-protected category and directed FIA directors to gather and report on the data within three days.
As part of the investigation, the FIA has summoned Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) chief Shahid Haider, along with the director of customer services, the director of IT at LESCO, and officials from the energy ministry, to probe the overbilling. The FIA has been tasked with submitting a detailed report to the Prime Minister within 24 hours.
