ISLAMABAD: The federal government is set to launch a new initiative aimed at tackling electricity theft by establishing specialized police stations and courts dedicated to this issue.
This move comes amid recent increases in electricity bills, which have already raised concerns about financial strain on the public.
Under the new measure, a total of 8,769 specialized police stations and 497 courts will be created across the country, with 634 personnel assigned to these facilities.
The initiative will be rolled out in two phases. The first phase will see the establishment of these facilities in Lahore, DG Khan, Hyderabad, Larkana Division, Bannu, Peshawar, Mardan, and Quetta. The second phase will extend the initiative to 29 additional divisions.
The new system is projected to cost approximately 10.7 billion rupees annually. This expense will be passed on to consumers by distribution companies, while the federal government will initially allocate over 10 billion rupees for setting up these facilities.
Costs related to the apprehension and prosecution of electricity thieves will also be transferred to the public.
While the initiative aims to reduce electricity theft, there are concerns about the additional financial burden it may impose on consumers.
