- Authorities contemplate a potential Rs2 per unit increase in power tariffs pending a decision following the September 27 hearing at the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA).
- In a nationwide crackdown on electricity theft, South Punjab reports the apprehension of 161 additional power thieves
Authorities are considering a potential increase of Rs2 per unit in power tariffs, with a final decision to be made following a hearing at the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority on September 27. The Central Power Purchasing Agency has formally requested a raise in electricity prices, specifically seeking an increase of Rs1.82 per unit for the month of August under the monthly fuel adjustment. The NEPRA authority will review the agency’s application on September 27.
Concurrently, there is a vigorous crackdown on electricity theft taking place nationwide. In South Punjab alone, an additional 161 power thieves have been apprehended, bringing the total number of arrests to 9,746. The Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) spokesperson disclosed that 126 new power theft cases have been registered, increasing the cases to 3,049. To date, 235 individuals have been arrested for power theft. Notably, in Daira Din Panah, an incident occurred where a sub-divisional officer and the Kot Addu executive engineer were assaulted outside the Hanjra House by a power thief named Malik Shehzad, who owed Rs111,000 in unpaid bills.
In Faisalabad, an additional 128 power thieves were arrested and collectively fined Rs17.9 million, according to a spokesman from the Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO). This brings the total fines imposed on 1,333 individuals to more than Rs163.6 million, with 1,137 people facing legal charges and 135 individuals placed under arrest.