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Abid Sher says power theft eats up Rs 242bn every year
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DERA GHAZI KHAN: State Minister for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali Friday said that about electricity worth Rs 242 billion was being pilfered, and the same amount of subsidy was provided to consumers each year across the country.
Talking to media persons at local Circuit House, he said that there were about 95 per cent line losses in Larkana circle, while 90 per cent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He said, legislation against power theft had been approved by the Parliament, providing for Rs 2 million fine with two to three years imprisonment for power pilferers.
He said, there was 18 to 20 hours load shedding in the past, which had been reduced to six to eight hours by the present government.
He said, for the first time in the country’s history, a campaign was launched against power thieves, which was not against any particular district or province.
He said, about 10 million power units were saved after crackdown against power theft in Larkana circle.
Abid Sher Ali said there were reports of many incidents of power theft in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and cases have been registered in this regard.
He pointed out 90 percent electricity was being allegedly stolen in area of Shah Farman, provincial minister of KP province. He lamented that the minister was making protest instead of following rules.
He assured that in upcoming summer, power outage would be reduced to six to eight hours. However, load shedding may be increased to 20 to 22 hours in the areas with huge line losses.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk