Govt orders technical audit of all DISCOs to curb power theft

The federal government has decided to conduct a comprehensive technical audit of all electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) to determine the scale and causes of power theft and distribution losses across the country.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the committee formed on the prime minister’s directives to address inefficiencies and electricity theft in DISCOs. The meeting was co-chaired by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Establishment Division Ahad Cheema and Federal Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Leghari.

Officials from the Power Division, National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, Pakistan Digital Authority and other institutions briefed the committee on electricity theft, distribution losses, recoveries and technology-based measures.

Following the briefing, the committee approved a technical audit of all DISCOs to identify the actual extent of electricity theft, technical and commercial losses and areas where losses are particularly high.

The audit will also examine the underlying reasons behind power theft and inefficiencies in the distribution network. Its findings will be used to develop targeted measures to improve the performance of distribution companies.

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has been tasked with providing technical assistance and ensuring that the audit is carried out through a transparent process. An Expression of Interest will soon be issued to hire qualified technical experts.

The committee is expected to finalise the Terms of Reference for the audit by next week.

Ahad Cheema said the exercise must provide a detailed assessment of the causes of electricity theft and distribution losses and produce practical recommendations for addressing them.

He stressed that consumers should not be made to bear the cost of electricity theft, inefficiency or overbilling. He said the government would use the audit findings to take evidence-based measures and prevent further growth in circular debt.

Power Minister Awais Leghari said his ministry was working to reduce electricity theft and distribution losses, particularly in DISCOs with high levels of losses.

The committee also reviewed solarisation pilot projects being considered in areas served by PESCO and QESCO. The projects aim to provide solar power solutions in high-loss areas, reduce pressure on the electricity network and help tackle persistent theft and line losses.

Officials also discussed the use of digital technologies and reliable data to identify irregularities, improve monitoring and strengthen accountability across the distribution system.

The committee welcomed improvements in the recovery performance of DISCOs during the current year but stressed that further progress was needed.