3,900 meters of electricity conductors stolen, Rs10.8 million loss reported in Sindh

Nearly 3,900 meters of electricity conductors have been stolen from different areas of Sindh, causing an estimated loss of Rs10.8 million

Islamabad: Nearly 3,900 meters of electricity conductors have been stolen from different areas of Sindh, causing an estimated loss of Rs10.8 million to the government, while only two suspects have been arrested in one of five registered cases over the last three years, according to a statement by the Minister for Energy during National Assembly proceedings.

The figures have raised serious questions about the government’s ability to stop organised electricity infrastructure theft, protect public property and bring those responsible to justice. Four of the five registered cases were lodged against unknown persons, while the government has not provided details of convictions or the final results of prosecutions in the cases.

The issue was discussed during the National Assembly proceedings on Monday, October 19, 2026, following questions about electricity theft, damaged public infrastructure and the failure to restore stolen wires in different parts of the country.

In response to a question by Pir Syed Fazal Ali Shah Jillani about theft in Gambat, Ranipur and nearby areas, Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari confirmed that incidents involving the theft of 11 kV electricity conductors had been reported at different locations under the operational control of Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO).

According to the minister, 3,000 meters of Panther conductor and 900 meters of Dog conductor were found missing or removed. The theft caused an estimated financial loss of Rs1,080,000 to the government and interrupted electricity supply. SEPCO had to replace the stolen conductors and restore power in affected areas.

The minister said five FIRs had been registered during the last three years. However, arrests were made in only one case, FIR No. 165/2026, registered at Gambat police station, in which two suspects were arrested.

The remaining cases were registered against unknown persons, raising questions about the progress of police investigations and the ability of authorities to identify those involved.

The five FIRs include No. 165/2026 at Gambat police station, No. 35/2026 at Agra police station, No. 179/2025 at Gambat police station, and FIRs No. 118/2025 and 104/2025 at Khuhra police station.

The minister rejected the claim that no action had been taken. He said SEPCO had reported the incidents to police, registered cases against nominated or unknown persons and continued to follow up with the relevant police authorities.

However, he acknowledged that the arrest of suspects depended on police investigations and assistance.

The government has not provided figures showing how many people were prosecuted or convicted in these cases. It has also not explained whether the stolen conductors were recovered or whether any organised group involved in the theft had been identified.

SEPCO said it was trying to prevent further theft by reporting incidents to police, pursuing cases in courts, coordinating with law enforcement agencies to arrest suspects and recover stolen material, and replacing damaged conductors to restore electricity.

The repeated theft of electricity infrastructure is not only a financial issue. It also affects ordinary people who depend on electricity for homes, businesses and essential public services. Every incident can require fresh spending on replacement material and repair work, placing another burden on public funds.

The National Assembly discussion also brought attention to wider electricity losses in the country. In response to a question about the performance of power distribution companies, the government acknowledged that high losses in PESCO, SEPCO and QESCO were mainly linked to concentrated electricity theft, weak distribution networks and operational problems.

The government said it was moving towards monitoring electricity feeders and transformers more closely to identify theft and losses at the point where they occur, instead of simply shifting the problem from one area to another.

This admission highlights the scale of the challenge facing power distribution companies. Despite repeated efforts to control electricity theft, some areas continue to suffer high losses, while the government is still working to improve monitoring and enforcement.

The government has listed several measures to control theft and improve the performance of distribution companies. These include installing Aerial Bundled Conductors, commonly known as ABC wires, which are designed to make illegal electricity connections, or kundas, more difficult.

It also plans to install Advanced Metering Infrastructure meters, known as AMI meters, which can help detect electricity theft and meter tampering remotely and on time.

Other measures include installing an Asset Performance Management System on distribution transformers, replacing old, slow and defective electricity meters, and introducing Mobile Meter Reading to ensure accurate readings and help consumers pay genuine bills.

However, the announcement of new technology does not by itself explain how quickly these measures will be completed or how much electricity theft and financial loss they are expected to prevent.

Another concern was raised about stolen electricity infrastructure in Sector I16, Islamabad. In response to a question by MNA Nazir Ahmed Bhugio, the minister said the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) was gradually reinstalling electricity infrastructure in streets where development had taken place and the population had increased.

The minister rejected the claim that residents were being adversely affected because the previously stolen infrastructure had not been reinstalled.

According to the reply, IESCO was processing electricity connections on a case by case basis to avoid further theft of materials. The company said installing infrastructure in areas with limited development and population could expose newly installed equipment to another risk of theft.

IESCO’s position has raised questions about how residents in developing parts of I16 will receive reliable electricity and when the remaining infrastructure will be installed. The government has not provided a clear completion date, saying that installation will depend on development and population growth in the area.

The debate has exposed two sides of the electricity theft problem. In Sindh, stolen conductors have caused financial losses and interruptions in supply, while in Islamabad, IESCO says it is delaying some installations because newly installed equipment could also be stolen.

The government’s statements show that electricity theft remains a serious challenge for distribution companies. The theft of public infrastructure, illegal connections, meter tampering and weak networks all add to the financial pressure on the power sector.

Although the government has announced monitoring systems, smart meters and stronger conductors, the limited arrests in the five SEPCO cases raise questions about whether law enforcement is doing enough to stop those responsible.