Discos overbilled consumers Rs244bn to hide losses

ISLAMABAD: Eight state-run power distribution companies (Discos) illegally overbilled consumers by a staggering Rs244 billion over the last few years to conceal their own inefficiencies, with no disciplinary action taken against any officials involved.

The audit report of FY2024-25 revealed the overbilling position of these companies till the fiscal year 2023-24, the overbilling was used to mask losses from electricity theft, line losses, and poor performance. The report names companies in Lahore, Islamabad, Hyderabad, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta, Sukkur, and the tribal areas as having charged inflated bills.

Shockingly, agricultural tube wells and even deceased individuals were not spared. Multan Electric Power Company alone sent bills worth Rs496 million to dead customers — with one instance of zero actual electricity usage being billed as 1.2 million units.

In just one month, over 278,000 consumers received inflated bills totaling Rs47.81 billion. Yet, despite recovering billions unjustly from the public, no officials have faced accountability. Audit authorities noted that 904.6 million extra units were billed during FY24.

The companies claim to have refunded some amounts — with Rs5.29 billion reportedly returned and Peshawar Electric giving Rs2.18 billion as multi-credit adjustments — but failed to provide any documentary proof when asked by auditors.

In one of the most glaring cases, Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) was found to have overbilled agricultural users by more than Rs148 billion. Meanwhile, ten power firms billed Rs18.64 billion to consumers through 1,432 feeders — again, without supplying records to back these actions. Auditors have demanded explanations from the eight firms, warning that the practice of loading inefficiencies onto consumers is both unethical and unlawful.