Electricity distribution companies are involved in overbilling: Naqvi
Pakistan
Says crackdown in progress against power theft, tariffs are too high
- Sees the possibility of India targeting Amir Tamba
- Notes New Delhi has been involved in assassinations in the past as well
LAHORE (Dunya News/Web Desk) – Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday revealed the latest figures about overbilling and promised to continue with a crackdown on power theft, as people in Pakistan are crushed by a stubborn inflation which has been exacerbated by rising energy costs.
Addressing a press conference, he said not only affluent power and state consumers but also poor households were a victim of overbilling, adding that the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) had charged a total of additional 830 million units – a practice to hide the failure to check line losses and power theft and burden the people who face the consequences of an inefficient system.
Read more: Shehbaz vows to check power theft, Nepra seeks tariff hikes amid reduced consumption
Naqvi admitted that electricity tariffs were too high and said that the authorities were acting vigorously against those involved in power theft and especially mentioned the efforts being made in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan in this connection where the practice is more rampant.
He praised the FIA for the role being played in the ongoing campaign against electricity theft and the related matters in the power sector, adding that the federal agency had exposed the overbilling.
“You don’t know that the [actual] bill is Rs20,000 and you are paying Rs40,000,” he told reporters and added that even the ordinary consumers using up to 300 units had not been spared.
The FIA DG was facing extreme pressure but the anti-power theft drive won’t be stopped at any cost, the interior minister said.
INDIA AND TERRORISM
Naqvi said India had been directly involved in assassinations and terror acts in Pakistan and there were indications that it might be the case in the murder of Amir Tamba as well.
Amir Sarfraz alias Amir Tamba was shot dead in Lahore a day earlier. He had murdered Indian terrorist Sarabjit Singh in Kot Lakhpat Jail in 2013, as Naqvi said India was behind four similar killings in the past.
KILLINGS IN BALOCHISTAN
About the latest incident of targeting the residents of Punjab in Balochistan, the interior minister said nine such persons, including their agent, had been shot dead in Noshki.
He said the government was investigating the matter and added that victims had visas for visiting the holy places in Iran, adding that there was need for more work on the subject.
SOCIAL MEDIA
When asked about the rumours that the government is mulling over shutting the social media platforms, Naqvi rejected the impression, saying effective legislation would be introduced to arrest the trend of fake news and levelling baseless allegations.
Nowadays, anyone can accuse someone of anything and easily escape legal action, he said – a reference to the common and organised practice by some elements in Pakistan.
