Following its announcement that it would take action against cases of electricity theft, the caretaker federal administration has started a nationwide crackdown on gas thieves.
The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) Islamabad Region teams discovered gas theft in 34 locations around Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Additionally, the special teams discovered gas theft in Murree, Taxila, Attock, Fateh Jang, and Kahuta.
According to sources, homes and factories received the stolen gas. To decrease the spiraling cyclical debt in the power sector, the caretaker federal administration earlier in the day announced preparations to initiate a crackdown on electricity theft across the nation.
During a news conference, Power Minister Muhammad Ali and Interim Minister of Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi announced the measures.
According to the power minister, Pakistan’s ten distribution corporations suffer an annual loss of $589 billion. According to him, the two main factors contributing to this enormous loss are electricity theft and unpaid electricity bills.
The interim government is addressing the issue of electricity theft through a thorough three-pronged strategy, he said.
The minister described the steps, stating that technology interventions would be performed in locations with a 15–30% electricity theft rate. Second, where power theft is between 30 and 60 percent, management will assure private sector participation, while enforcement will be ensured where it is greater than 60 percent.
“There is a dire need to introduce reforms in the energy sector,” he added. He noted that the government is evaluating the effectiveness of the Board of Directors of power distribution companies and would modify their management.
