PM Shahbaz Sharif Orders Swift Completion of Smart Meter Installation to Ensure Transparency in Billing System
Islamabad:Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the swift completion of the installation of smart meters to bring transparency to the electricity billing system. He emphasized that overbilling would not be tolerated, and strict action would be taken against officials involved in such practices. The Prime Minister also highlighted the need for concrete steps to curb electricity theft.
The directives came during a review meeting on the performance of electricity distribution companies, including Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO), Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO), and Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO). Prime Minister Sharif expressed concern over the slow pace of appointing Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) for these companies and instructed that the appointment process should be completed as soon as possible in a transparent manner.
He also emphasized that the recruitment process for staff in the electricity distribution companies should be strictly merit-based, and any lapse in ensuring transparency would not be tolerated. Furthermore, the Prime Minister directed that all resources be mobilized to achieve the targets set by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA).
During the briefing, it was revealed that as of November 2024, LESCO had achieved a recovery rate of 96.82%, PESCO 87.98%, and FESCO 97.57%. In terms of transmission and distribution losses, LESCO had a loss rate of 13.04%, PESCO 33%, and FESCO 6.01%.
Regarding the installation of smart meters, LESCO has to install 223,365 three-phase smart meters, out of which 49,470 have been installed. PESCO has to install 152,559 meters, with 51,173 already completed, and FESCO has a target of installing 192,311 meters, with 11,276 already installed.
The meeting was also informed that LESCO, PESCO, and FESCO are providing various customer service facilities, including call centers, emails, websites, interactive voice response systems, and the NEPRA mobile and web services. To address consumer complaints, the helpline 118 is being made accessible free of charge to all mobile phone operators.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahsan Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Power Division Sardar Owais Ahmed Khan Leghari, Minister of State for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Ali Pervez Malik, the Prime Minister’s Coordinator Rana Ihsan Afzal, and senior government officials.
