PM orders immediate action against power thieves, defaulters

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Monday ordered immediate action against those involved in power theft in the country and asked the relevant authorities to submit reports in this regard on daily basis.

Chairing a meeting here, the prime minister also directed to take swift actions against the electricity defaulters, saying that there should not be any leniency towards the electricity thieves and the defaulters.

During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed in detail on all sections of the energy sector.

The meeting was informed about the total installed capacity, actual generation and overall energy supply during various seasons. The prime minister was also informed about the energy mix in the power production, the official news agency reported.

PM Kakar stressed that in future, the renewable and hydel sources of energy should be given top priority to produce cheap and green energy in the country.

He also directed to take effective measures to reduce the line losses of the power distribution companies. “A comprehensive plan should also be prepared and presented to implement the transformer metering project.”

He said small hydel power projects should be planned under the guidance of relevant experts.

Such projects will not only generate low-cost electricity but also help in reducing the harmful effects of climate change, he said, adding that local coal should be preferred instead of expensive imported coal in coal power generation projects.

Kakar also directed to immediately start work on the construction of 2,400MW solar power projects while ensuring transparency in the entire process.

The government, he said, would take all possible steps to reduce the circular debt of the power sector.

The meeting was also informed about the progress on the establishment of the electricity energy market in the country.

It was informed in the meeting that with the establishment of energy market in the country, the performance and capacity of the power sector would be effectively increased that would help 27 million domestic consumers.

It was also told that most of the work by the power division has already been completed in this regard.