Summary Government needs six more months to rectify the problem of load shedding.
Federal Minister of Water and Power Abid Sher Ali told the standing committee of water and power that, “Nearly 1 lac electricity meters have been replaced in order to halt the electricity theft on the order of the Prime Minister.” Secretary of water and power, Nargis Sethi, says “The system cannot tolerate any load more than 15 thousand Megawatts. Load shedding increases when the systems trip.” She further insisted to be given six more months to improve the system.
A meeting of the National Assembly's standing committee of water and power was presided over by Arshad Khan Lghari in Islamabad on July 3. Matters like how in the tenure of ex CEO Arshad Rafqiue, electricity worth millions of rupees was filched and the production, supply and losses during the previous fiscal year were highlighted.
Federal Minister of Water and Power, Abid Sher Ali and Secretary of Water and Power, nargis Sethi were a part of the meeting. Chief of Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) Rao Zameer uddin briefed, “4234 FIRs have been lodged against power theft in the tenure of previous LESCO chief.” He further added that, “A hefty amount of one billion sixty million has been embezzled through the electricity bills. Out of which 685 million rupees have been recovered till now.”
Abid Sher Ali emphasized that, “Action against electricity looters is being carried on the advice of the Prime Minister. 1 lac electricity meters have been changed/ replaced to hamper electricity theft.” Abid Sher Ali elaborated that, “It isn’t possible to provide 10 to 35 paisa per unit electricity to the tube wells. It would have to be increased to 1.5 to 2 rupees per unit.” He urged that, “We are providing subsidy to the farmers through other means including the subsidy being given over the tractors.”
LESCO chief informed that 1 lac meters that run slow have been taken off and they will be receiving charges against the extra electricity used by the consumers with slow meters installed. Abid Sher Ali added that they have received 683 million rupees from the consumers with slow meters. The action against the user of slow meters is being carried out on the directions of the Prime Minister and Chief Minister.
Member of Provincial Assembly, Rana Afzaal Hussain, grieved that, “Electricity only comes for an hour at the tube well, trips off once watering the farms starts.” To which Abid Sher Ali responded, “We are trying to speed up the completion of the new power projects so we may get control over the shortage of electricity.”
Secretary of Water and Power, Nargis Sethi told that, “There is a shortage of transformers in the country. Previous cases in reference to this matter have already been taken to the court. We are trying to sort out the issue of transformers.” Abid Sher Ali stated, “Transformers sold for RS 6 lac is now sold for 3 lac. We have dealt with the mafia doing corruption over transformers.” Nargis Sethi added, “The system cannot hold burden more than 15 thousand Megawatts. Load shedding is caused by the tripping of system due to overload, seems as if the system is on fire. Improvement of the system is as necessary as the recovery of the bills.” She further pleaded to give them some more time and they would improve the system.”
Abid Sher Ali informed that a summary has been sent forward to the Prime Minister for the hiring in the Water and Power sector. Recruitment shall start once the summary is approved. He further elaborated that load shedding has been squeezed to 25 to 30 percent. "We cannot afford more than 15 thousand Megawatt due to worn out system." He admitted that they consumption of electricity elevates to 20 thousand Megawatt at the time of aftar.
