Power theft, bill recoveries: Federal govt seeks help from provinces

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Power, Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari has written letters to all four chief ministers seeking their cooperation and assistance in bill recoveries and stopping power theft so as to bring more areas under zero loadshedding.

The federal minister in his letter to the chief ministers also proposed establishment of joint task force by the federal and provincial governments for development of uniform measures, information sharing and improved coordination. He also proposed to each provincial government to nominate officials on behalf to lead the efforts in this regard.

Leghari in his letter also expressed readiness to meet the chief ministers at any time at their convenience to discuss the modalities for cooperation in this regard. In his letter, he wrote that support of the provincial governments in the improved revenue collection and provision of security and policing will go a long way in improving the standards of living of the people of Pakistan. He said that together our endeavours are bound to bear fruit.

The minister while recognising the support and assistance of the provincial governments wrote that the federal government has been able to bring Pakistan out of an energy crisis on account of sufficient electricity being added to the national grid.

Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari in his letter highlighted the hurdles and challenges that the power sector faces in achieving the logical ends. He in his letter pointed out that power theft is posing serious threat to the revenue collection and disturbing the liquidity of the sector which is a must for its smooth running. He further highlighted that any revenue loss due to power theft is bound to burden the compliant and paying consumers with higher electricity prices, which in turn would hamper the quality of life of the domestic consumers besides burdening the national exchequer.

The federal minister while underscoring the important role of the provincial governments wrote that the collective efforts are needed in furthering the national good. He also mentioned in his letter the support of the provincial governments to the federal government in introduction of amendments in the legislative framework.