20 Gepco officers arrested for overbilling, embezzlement

LAHORE: In a shocking development, the Gujranwala Electric Power Company (Gepco) has been rocked by allegations of overbilling and embezzlement amounting to crores of rupees.

Following a thorough investigation by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), 20 Gepco officers have been arrested in connection with the scandal.

Details emerging from Gujranwala bring to light corruption in Gepco; it was discovered that funds meant for the national treasury were pocketed by the company officers.

The arrested officers mostly belong to Gepco’s revenue and accounts branch, including nine officers of Grade 17 and 11 of Grade 16.

As a result of the FIA action, the Gepco officers were brought to the police station for questioning, and then arrested. Preliminary investigations by the FIA revealed a huge amount of Rs105 million diverted to personal accounts through fraudulent means.

The accused allegedly tampered with record and fabricated entries to show funds from consumers’ electricity bills as deposited while pocketing the money themselves.

The FIA presented the arrested officers in court on Wednesday and got their two-day physical remand for investigation.