Lost to power theft in 2024
ISLAMABAD:
The Ministry of Energy on Wednesday presented details regarding power theft in 2024 to the National Assembly, revealing a loss of Rs12.485 billion due to theft last year.
According to official documents, Rs5.83 billion has already been recovered from power theft offenders. The crackdown led to the registration of 216,000 FIRs and the arrest of 62,452 individuals involved in electricity theft.
As part of the anti-theft drive, a Distribution Service Operations (DSO) unit has been established in PESCO during the first phase to combat the menace effectively.
Additionally, the National Assembly was provided with details of taxes collected on electricity bills by K-Electric. The Ministry of Energy acknowledged the imposition of eight different types of taxes on K-Electric consumers.
The documents revealed that K-Electric collected four types of General Sales Tax (GST) from consumers, namely normal GST, additional GST, further GST, and retailer GST.
In the past year, K-Electric consumers paid Rs102.43 billion under normal GST, Rs3.14 billion under further GST, and Rs11.87 billion as additional GST. Another Rs1.83 billion was collected under retailer GST. K-Electric customers also paid Rs30.26 billion in income tax, Rs610 million under withholding net metering, and Rs1.15 billion as TV license fees during the same period.
DISCOs
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari on Wednesday informed the National Assembly that no Power Distribution Company (DISCO) was handed over to Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
However, he noted that special intelligence units comprising provincial officials, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and other stakeholders are assisting in curbing losses and electricity theft in the power sector.
During the Question Hour in the National Assembly, Leghari shared that contracts with over 28 Independent Power Producers (IPPs) have been reviewed, saving the national exchequer Rs1,457 billion.
He also shared that since June last year, the electricity tariff for industries has been slashed by Rs11 per unit, and by Rs4 per unit for other consumers across the country.
Moreover, the minister announced that the government will cease purchasing electricity after March this year as it transitions to an independent electricity market. This system will allow consumers to procure electricity from multiple suppliers.
He said that the Power Division has cut a 45 per cent tariff for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and now they will get power at Rs39.70 per unit from the existing Rs71 per unit.
Leghari said special units have been established to improve recoveries and check power pilferage.