KP Govt, PESCO Tighten Noose Around Power Thieves, Arrest 371 In Last Two Months

The Khyber Pakthunkhwa Government and PESCO have intensified campaign against electricity stealers by arresting 317 thieves during last two months

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Jan, 2019 ) :The Khyber Pakthunkhwa Government and PESCO have intensified campaign against electricity stealers by arresting 317 thieves during last two months.

The spokesman of KP Energy's anti-power Theft Cell told APP on Tuesday that operation has been intensified across the province with help of PESCO, police and district administration.

As many as 371 power thieves were arrested after registration of 837 FIRs during the campaign conducted during October 29, 2018 to January 11, 2019.

The KP government has adopted zero tolerance against power pilferage viz a viz stealing by removing 7174 direct hocks being the major cause of electricity's fluctuations, low voltage and tripling of transformers.

Special focus is being made on recovery of outstanding arrears from defaulters as the Government has recovered Rs141.4473 million during the said period. Due to non-payment of outstanding amount by the defaulters, the official said equipment such as transformers and others worth Rs126.729052 million were removed.

With start of new year, he said, the campaign was further accelerated in all the 25 districts of the province as Rs22.

910527 million were recovered during January 1-11, 2019.

Mardan has topped the list as for as recovery of the outstanding amount is concerned from where Rs9 502,344 were recovered followed by Bannu district with Rs6,565,054 and Lakki Marwat by Rs 875,1512.

Similarly, Rs2433158 million outstanding amount were recovered from Swabi, Rs52000 million from Lower Dir. As many as 166 FIRs were registered against power thieves and 1387 direct hocks and equipment worth Rs7.958052 million were removed due to non-cooperation and payment of arrears by the defaulters.

The official said power theft was a social crime that not only affect agriculture and industrial production but also deprive law abiding consumers from their due rights.

He said time has come that communities and people should come forward and expose elements involved in power theft.

The role of media and LG representatives besides religious scholars are important to highlight negative effects of power pilferage and its worst impact on our daily lives, he concluded.