Govt to audit Discos to identify causes of power theft, technical and commercial losses

The Pakistani government has announced plans to conduct a thorough technical audit of all former Wapda distribution companies (Discos) to identify the root causes of power theft, technical and commercial losses. This decision was made during a meeting of a special committee chaired by the Prime Minister, aimed at reviewing measures to curb electricity theft and improve the performance of power distribution companies.

The committee, which included representatives from various ministries and institutions, will engage qualified technical experts to conduct the audit. The government's focus is on reducing power theft and distribution losses through evidence-based measures, without shifting the burden to consumers. The Advance Metering Infrastructure (AMI) initiative, which includes the installation of smart meters, will continue and be expedited to ensure accurate billing and prevent overcharging.

The audit will provide detailed diagnostics of power theft and losses, enabling targeted interventions to reduce these issues. Additionally, incentive-based solarisation projects in areas with high theft and line-loss rates, such as Peshawar and Quetta, are being reviewed to reduce pressure on the electricity network. The committee expressed satisfaction with the progress made in addressing overbilling but emphasized that any attempt to conceal theft or inefficiencies would not be tolerated.