Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Wednesday ordered to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against over-billing across Pakistan. As per details, Mohsin Naqvi ordered action against those involved in over-billing across Pakistan without discrimination as no over-billing will be tolerated under any circumstances. He directed the authorities to intensify the crackdown against electricity thieves and demanded 100% efficiency from the FIA officers against over-billing and power thieves. Furthermore, the interior minister said that security will be provided to FIA in sensitive areas of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is important to mention here that Power Division in its report disclosed to collect additional Rs 225 billion electricity bills per year from local industries in Pakistan. Sources within the Power Division stated that the industries are subsidizing protected consumers for Rs 225 billion.

According to sources within the industry, businesses are currently facing a significant burden as they are being charged more than the cost in electricity bills. This additional financial strain has rendered many industries uncompetitive in the market. Sources claimed that the federal government discussed a proposal to subsidize protected consumers through the Social Security Program – an attempt to alleviate the burden on industries. However, yesterday the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) ‘barred’ its revenue officers from appearing before the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) team in an overbilling probe. According to sources, the LESCO and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) remain at odds as revenue officers of the power utility did not appear before the agency for investigations after being summoned on April 9.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan