Crackdown on electricity thieves

Islamabad: The Anti-Corruption Circle (ACC) of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has launched the follow-up crackdown on electricity theft under the directives of Federal Interior Minister, the FIA spokesman said on Friday.

The ACC said that the role of Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) officers and officials if found involved will be thrashed out during the course of investigation. Over the past two months, the Anti-Corruption Circle Islamabad has registered more than 60 cases against those involved in electricity theft, the spokesman of FIA maintained.

Continuing the onslaught against the individuals, business centres, trading companies and corporations, the ACC Islamabad conducted raids and registered five cases the elements involved in electricity theft under section 462(J) of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

Five cases have been registered against elements including Akhtar, Asim, Mohammad Zameed and Mohammad Asghar found involved in electricity theft, the spokesman said and added that initial investigations reveal that the accused were tampering with meters to steal electricity.

“Consequent upon the enquiry of ACC Islamabad, it is submitted that a report regarding electricity theft was received from Circle Manager M&T, Iesco Rawalpindi. From the report, it is transpired that these five people were involved in unauthorised body tempering (Shunting) with electricity meters for the purpose of electricity theft. The accused persons found involved in causing loss to the government exchequer to the tune of millions of rupees monthly. Prima facie, case are made out and being registered against the five people under section 462(J) PPC, while the role Iesco officers/officials if found involved, will be thrashed out during the course of investigation,” said in the investigation report submitted to the ministry of interior and higher officers of the FIA.

Raids were conducted in various localities of Rawalpindi, the spokesman said and added that during the operations, the Iesco officials seised the tampered meters on the spot. The theft resulted in a loss of millions of rupees to the national treasury, he maintained, saying that raids are being conducted to arrest the people found involved in electricity thefts.

The FIA said that the officials engaged in the investigation of the case, during the investigation, the involvement of Iesco officials is being assessed.

Special raiding teams have been formed by the Anti-Corruption Circle, Islamabad and the net is being tightened around those involved in electricity theft, the FIA said, adding, raiding teams are conducting joint operations with Iesco officials.

All resources are being utilised to arrest the people involved in the electricity theft, the spokesman said and added that the ongoing crackdown aims to curb electricity theft and mitigate the financial losses inflicted on the national treasury, ensuring that those involved are brought to justice.