Interior Minister Naqvi directs for accelerating action against overbilling, electricity theft  

Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday ordered speeding up the crackdown on those involved in overbilling and power pilferage, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Chairing a meeting at the FIA’s Zonal Office in Lahore, Mohsin Naqvi ordered indiscriminate action against the employees of power distribution companies charging extra amounts from consumers. “There is zero tolerance when it comes to overbilling,” Naqvi said emphatically, adding, “Providing relief to the masses in their electricity bills is a priority for the government.”  

The meeting also reviewed the progress made on action taken against those involved in overbilling and power theft so far.

Director FIA Lahore Sarfaraz Virk briefed the meeting while DG FIA Ishaq Jahangir attended the meeting via a video link.

Mohsin Naqvi reiterated that zero-tolerance policy will continue against overbilling and action will also be taken against officers, who would burden citizens through overbilling.

He emphasized that negligence and failure of distribution companies (DISCOs) to serve citizens will not be acceptable at all.

Mohsin Naqvi expressed the government's resolve that provision of relief to electricity consumers in overbilling issue is top priority.

Addressing a press conference at the FIA headquarters in Lahore on Monday, the interior minister informed that so far 102 FIRs had been registered against the power distribution companies’ employees for overbilling, while consumers had been refunded 310 million electricity units. “Certainly, this is a big relief for the masses,” he added.

He said no complaint of overbilling was received in April. “The SE Sheikhupura was arrested for charging extra units from consumers,” the minister said.

Reporters: Ali Ramay and Awais Kiani