Muhammad Rehan
DERA ISMAIL KHAN: A major crackdown against electricity theft, corruption and negligence of duties has been launched in the Dera Circle of Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO), leading to the suspension of several officials and the registration of hundreds of cases against electricity thieves.
According to details, the action was taken on the instructions of PESCO Headquarters Peshawar following a report submitted by SE PESCO Dera Circle Engineer Hizbullah Mehsud. The move created a stir across the circle as strict disciplinary measures were implemented.
Sources in PESCO said that those suspended include eight meter readers, two line superintendents, an acting meter reader supervisor and a lineman. The officials have been accused of mismanagement, corruption, patronage of electricity theft and negligence in performing their duties.
Under the orders issued, the suspended officials have been directed to report their attendance daily to the Confidential Section at the PESCO Headquarters in Peshawar during the suspension period.
SE PESCO Dera Circle Engineer Hizbullah Mehsud said that a zero-tolerance policy has been adopted against individuals who damage the national institution or facilitate electricity theft. He added that such elements not only cause financial losses to the institution but also lead to unjustified fines, increased burden and unnecessary load shedding for honest consumers.
He further stated that hundreds of FIRs have already been registered against electricity thieves, while departmental action has also been taken against PESCO officials found involved in or facilitating power theft.
After Eid, special intelligence teams from PESCO Headquarters Peshawar will visit Dera Ismail Khan to identify individuals involved in electricity theft and their facilitators, and to take stricter legal action against them.
PESCO officials have appealed to consumers to cooperate with the institution in eliminating electricity theft by reporting such activities in their areas. They said timely information from the public can play a key role in curbing power theft, reducing losses to the national institution, shortening load-shedding hours and providing relief to honest consumers.
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