Three power companies report Rs5.78bn power theft

ISLAMABAD: The Lahore Electricity Supply Company (Lesco), Peshawar Electricity Supply Company (Pesco) and Hyderabad Electricity Supply Company (Hesco) have detected power theft of Rs5.78 billion in their jurisdictions in fiscal years 2022-23 and 2023-24.

According to the audit report, 262,740 consumers were found involved in electricity theft during the period. Peshawar, Hyderabad and Lahore regions were at the forefront in electricity theft. The Iesco consumers were also found involved in electricity theft.

According to the documents, electricity theft was carried out through direct connection, swindling, meter tampering and fake meters. The theft occurred in nine regions during the years 2022-23 and 2023-24.

The audit report revealed that Rs1.84 billion worth of Pesco electricity was stolen. Hesco reported theft of Rs1.61 billion and Lesco reported theft of Rs1.35 billion during the period.

On the other hand, a hotel on Davis Road, Lahore, indulged in a major power theft. According to the Lesco spokesperson, the hotel stole electricity worth Rs26.3 million from three three-phase meters. The meters were found breached, reprogrammed and the readings were frozen.

A Lesco spokesperson said a case registered against the accused had been registered and the meters seized.