Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed to minimize load-shedding, being carried out in different areas of the country.

Chairing a review meeting on electricity supply load management and anti-power theft campaign in Islamabad today, he said the situation of load management in extreme heat should be improved for the facilitation of the people.

The Prime Minister further said the elements involved in electricity theft will be dealt sternly. He said the mission against electricity theft will be taken to the logical conclusion and stealing of power will be completely eliminated from the country. He said he will personally review the progress on prevention of electricity theft on a monthly basis.

Shehbaz Sharif said the provincial governments and law enforcement agencies should fully support the anti-electricity theft campaign. He said the national interest and the development and prosperity of the country require that all the government institutions perform their responsibilities effectively again
st electricity theft.

The Prime Minister also instructed that there should be no overbilling. Besides, he advised to expedite the privatization of power distribution companies and hire experts for the purpose.

Shehbaz Sharif directed to prepare a strategy regarding the solarization of tube-wells in Balochistan at the earliest.

The meeting was briefed on measures about power load management and electricity theft. It was told that a unanimous strategy has been evolved in the discussion among Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari regarding the load management of electricity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Under the agreed upon strategy, power load shedding, collection of electricity bills from defaulters and line losses in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be reduced.

The meeting was apprised that load-shedding is being carried out in areas where electricity theft and line losses are high and recovery of bills is very low. It was said that the upgradation of
South-North transmission line will improve power transmission system.

The meeting was further informed that task forces are being constituted at the provincial and divisional levels to prevent power theft and their performance will be reviewed on weekly basis.

Source: Radio Pakistan