Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed authorities to take firm action against power theft and cut reliance on imported fuel.
The directives came during a high-level meeting on energy sector reforms in Islamabad.
Chairing the review meeting, the prime minister stressed the need for a comprehensive strategy to meet future energy demands through renewable sources.
He said increasing electricity generation from hydropower, solar energy, and biogas would help lower production costs and support economic growth.
The premier instructed officials to minimise reliance on imported fuel for power generation.
He reiterated that no concessions should be given to individuals involved in electricity theft.
Strict action against power theft
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made it clear that strict measures must be taken against those involved in power theft.
He also directed authorities to speed up the installation of smart meters on transformers in areas where electricity theft is widespread.
The prime minister ordered departmental action against electricity distribution companies that recently violated the “Economic Merit Order,” a key benchmark for efficient power generation.
Push for competitive electricity market
The government plans to promote a competitive electricity market, with efforts underway to supply 400 megawatts (MW) of electricity to the private sector in the first phase under the wheeling system.
Officials also shared that work is ongoing to bring three electricity distribution companies into private sector participation, with bidding expected to conclude by November.
During the briefing, participants were informed that electricity theft, non-payment, and system losses have significantly declined due to recent measures.
Losses in the distribution system dropped from 18.3% in June 2024 to 15.3% in March 2026.
Bill recovery rates improved from 90% in June 2024 to 96.46% in March 2026, reflecting better enforcement and operational efficiency.
Additionally, smart meters have been installed on 2,500 loss-making feeders.
.jpg)
