Man climbs electricity pole in Peshawar to steal Power cables

A man climbed an electricity pole in Peshawar in an alleged attempt to steal power cables, according to the Peshawar Electric Supply

A man climbed an electricity pole in Peshawar in an alleged attempt to steal power cables, according to the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO). The unusual incident took place in the Shahibagh Sub-Division area, where electricity supply had already been suspended because maintenance work was underway.

According to PESCO officials, the man climbed onto the pole while power was switched off in the area. The incident reportedly occurred during a period when electricity lines were not operational due to repair and maintenance work being carried out by the power distribution company.

PESCO said that the man appeared to have taken advantage of the temporary suspension of electricity supply. He reportedly climbed the pole with the intention of removing electrical wires. The incident was noticed by people in the area, who alerted the relevant authorities.

Officials reached the location and took action to prevent the situation from becoming more serious. The man was eventually brought down safely from the electricity pole.

The incident occurred in the Shahibagh Sub-Division, an area served by PESCO as part of its electricity distribution network in Peshawar. Authorities said that the power supply had been deliberately shut down because repair work was being conducted on the network.

The temporary power outage may have created an opportunity for the suspect to attempt the alleged theft. Electricity cables and other equipment belonging to power distribution companies are frequently targeted by thieves because the materials can be sold as scrap or for their metal value.

However, climbing an electricity pole can be extremely dangerous even when the power supply has been switched off. Electrical systems can contain residual risks, and unexpected restoration of electricity can also create a serious threat to anyone working on or near power lines.

PESCO officials did not immediately provide further details about whether the man had successfully removed any cables before being stopped. It was also not immediately clear whether a formal case had been registered against him or what legal action would be taken.

The incident highlights the challenges faced by electricity distribution companies in protecting their infrastructure from theft and illegal interference. Power cables, transformers and other equipment are essential for maintaining electricity supplies, and their theft can cause additional outages and financial losses.

Authorities regularly warn members of the public against approaching electricity poles, wires and other electrical equipment without proper training or authorisation. Such actions can result in serious injuries or even death.

Residents in the area reportedly alerted officials after noticing the man on the pole. His safe removal prevented a potentially dangerous situation from escalating.

PESCO has been carrying out maintenance and repair activities in different parts of its service area to improve the reliability of electricity supplies. Planned outages are sometimes necessary to allow technical teams to safely work on power lines and related infrastructure.

Officials have advised consumers to cooperate with maintenance schedules and report suspicious activity involving electricity infrastructure to the relevant authorities.

The Peshawar incident serves as a reminder that electricity infrastructure remains vulnerable to theft, particularly during planned outages. It also demonstrates the dangers associated with attempting to interfere with electrical equipment.

While the man was successfully brought down from the pole, authorities are expected to investigate the incident further and determine whether he intended to steal cables and whether any electricity infrastructure was damaged during the attempt.