Islamabad :Federal Minister for Energy, Owais Leghari, has revealed that several large corporations are actively involved in power theft across Pakistan. He stated that during the previous fiscal year, the energy sector suffered losses amounting to Rs591 billion. However, due to targeted government reforms and enforcement efforts, this figure was reduced to Rs399 billion, resulting in a net saving of Rs151 billion.
Speaking at a press briefing, Leghari highlighted that:
Power theft alone accounted for Rs276 billion in losses.
An additional Rs315 billion went uncollected due to poor billing and recovery systems.
The government had set a target of Rs100 billion in savings, which was exceeded.
The minister emphasized that reforms in Distribution Companies (DISCOs) are underway, with merit-based appointments now ensuring better oversight and accountability. “We’ve improved DISCO performance and laid the groundwork for long-term structural changes,” he said.
He also noted that the Prime Minister and the federal cabinet are directly monitoring the reform process, underlining its national importance.
However, Leghari also criticized aspects of the federal budget, pointing out that while tax exemptions were granted to the wealthy, the lower-income population continues to face economic hardship, raising questions about fairness in fiscal priorities.
