RECORDER REPORT

PESHAWAR: As many as 897 FIRs have been registered against the power pilferers, 720 arrested and 90 illegal power transformers removed from the system and arrears amounting to Rs 94 million so far from power defaulters during operation against power pilferers and recovery of arrears from defaulters.

This was told during a high-level meeting held here the other day with KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan in the chair.

Advisor to Chief Minister on Energy & Power Hamayatullah, Provincial government spokesperson Ajmal Wazir, Chief Secretary Naveed Kamran Baloch, Inspector General of Police Salahuddin Mehsud, Additional Chief Secretary Shehzad Bangash, Secretary Finance, Chief Executive PESCO and other administrative secretaries attended the meeting.

The meeting reviewed the campaign launched against the power theft both by domestic and commercial/industrial consumers. It also discussed the weaknesses of PESCO, the inefficient system of electricity and other allied problems.

The meeting was further told that the campaign has helped reduced line losses at national level by 1.5% as compared to 4 percent decrease in the line losses in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which is highly encouraging. During the process 2000 electricity meters have also been erected in the installed in the province.

Presiding over the meeting, the Chief Minister Khyber directed for systematic strategy for discouraging power theft, reducing line losses and bringing efficiency to the overall performance of Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO).

He further directed for the up-gradation of transmission lines and formation of combined teams comprising district administration, police and Pesco officials for accelerated recovery and discouraging power theft throughout the province.

The chief minister directed for accelerated efforts in order to make the campaign a success story. The provincial government, the police and district administration would provide all out support in the campaign.