QESCO Decides to Take Strict Legal Action Against Unauthorized Private Linemen
QUETTA: The Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) has decided to launch strict legal action against private linemen working without authorization on its electricity distribution network.
Formal instructions have been issued by the office of QESCO Chief Executive Officer to the Superintending Engineers of all concerned circles. According to the official communication, the company has learned that unauthorized private linemen in various areas are carrying out operations, repairs, maintenance and other electrical work on QESCO’s distribution network despite having no permission to do so.
The letter stated that allowing unauthorized individuals to work on QESCO’s electricity network was illegal and could pose serious risks to public safety, human lives and valuable electrical installations.
QESCO officials said that work on power lines, transformers, feeders and other electrical installations by untrained or unauthorized individuals could endanger their own lives and increase the risk of accidents for residents of the surrounding areas.
All concerned circle authorities have been directed to immediately identify unauthorized private linemen operating within their jurisdictions and initiate legal action against them.
Under the instructions, the relevant Executive Engineers (Operations) will identify unauthorized linemen in their respective areas and ensure that FIRs are registered against them at the concerned police stations under the relevant provisions of law.
The company has made it clear that the action will not be limited to the registration of FIRs. Authorities have also been directed to ensure that no unauthorized person is allowed to carry out any work on QESCO’s distribution network in the future.
Officials have been instructed to strengthen monitoring of individuals working on the electricity network and prevent unauthorized persons from operating on power lines or other installations.
QESCO has also sought detailed compliance reports from all concerned circles. The reports must include details of identified unauthorized private linemen, FIRs registered against them and other legal action initiated.
The company directed officials to treat the matter as highly important and urgent and ensure immediate implementation of the instructions.
The directives have been issued to relevant authorities in QESCO’s Central, Sibi, Loralai, Pishin, Khuzdar and Makran circles, indicating that the scope of action against unauthorized private linemen is likely to expand across these areas.
QESCO officials maintained that only authorized and properly trained personnel should be permitted to operate, repair or maintain the company’s electricity distribution network to ensure the safety of the system and the public.
The latest directives aim to prevent unauthorized activities and protect the electricity infrastructure as well as public lives and property from potential accidents.
