Business Desk 
Dec 29, 2024
In an apparent redressal of the grievances of power consumers in Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday condemned the overbilling by power distribution companies (Discos).
To ensure fairness and transparency in the issuance and collection of electricity bills, he urged the authorities concerned to install smart meters as soon as possible, Dawn reported.
Earlier in February, a four-member independent inquiry committee on "Abject Failure — Illegal Overbilling" verified overcharging allegations made by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) against all Discos across Pakistan; however, the committee granted immunity to all the Discos, claiming the fleecing was not “deliberate and mala fide”.
Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi also raised concern earlier in April on the matter, stressing that overbilling by the Discos would not be overlooked under any circumstances.
Similar were the remarks made by the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Energy (Power Division), highlighting the overbilling complaints submitted for August by consumers.
The PM said strict action would taken against officers found conniving with bad actors involved in such practices.
He expressed concern over the delay in the appointment process of Discos’ chief executive officers (CEOs) and directed to ensure that the appointments were made at the earliest through a highly transparent process.
Presiding a meeting to review the performance of Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco), Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) and Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fescp), Shehbaz was also briefed on the progress of smart meters’ installation.
