In a recent development, authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have announced a crackdown on electricity theft in the region, targeting influential mafia groups and large-scale offenders. The initiative aims to tackle the illegal use of electricity and the notorious ‘Kunda’ culture prevalent in the province. To facilitate the operation, lists of various establishments involved in electricity theft, including factories, hotels, commercial plazas, wedding halls, shopping malls, shops, and illegal housing societies, have been prepared.
The Provincial Task Force, led by the provincial interior secretary, held its first meeting to discuss the ongoing campaign against electricity theft and the recovery of dues from consumers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The meeting was attended by key officials, including the secretary energy, commissioners from different divisions, and regional police officers.
During the meeting, it was revealed that 518 raids were conducted in the province within a week, resulting in the removal of 925 illegal electricity users, the registration of 684 cases, and the arrest of 28 individuals. Additionally, warnings were issued to 338 consumers, and approximately Rs. 4 million in dues were recovered. The CEO of PESCO (Peshawar Electric Supply Company) highlighted that there are outstanding dues amounting to Rs. 190 billion from electricity defaulters in the region.
However, concerns were raised over the performance of PESCO, particularly regarding the slow progress in meeting recovery targets. Mardan, Charsadda, Bannu, and Peshawar were identified as areas with the highest electricity theft. To address these issues, the meeting emphasized the use of the Whistle Blower Act and directed the relevant authorities to implement strict measures against illegal housing societies, including those located in affluent areas of the province.
Furthermore, the secretary interior expressed frustration at the lack of a public awareness campaign and weak communication by PESCO. To rectify this, he instructed PESCO chief to display public service announcements in streets, neighborhoods, and markets using Pana-flex banners, as well as launching awareness campaigns on TV channels and in newspapers. The meeting also stressed on daily data sharing between the task force committees at the district and tehsil levels to the PMRU (Performance Monitoring and Reformation Unit).
Secretary Power, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, presented recommendations for the success of the campaign, acknowledging the personal interest and cooperation of the Additional Secretary Power Division. It is hoped that these collaborative efforts will play a crucial role in addressing the power crisis in the province.
The initiative to crack down on electricity theft demonstrates the government’s commitment to eradicate this illegal practice and recover unpaid dues. By targeting influential mafia groups and prominent offenders, the authorities are determined to restore accountability and ensure fair usage of electricity resources in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
