Key Takeaways
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif orders comprehensive audit of power distribution companies' billing systems.
- Government aims to improve performance and transparency through stricter enforcement against theft and smart meter installations.
- Best-performing distribution company will be recognized and rewarded.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed a technical audit of the billing systems of power distribution companies (Discos) in Pakistan, emphasizing the need for improved performance and transparency within the sector. The prime minister chaired a meeting on power sector reforms where he outlined several key initiatives aimed at addressing ongoing issues.
During the meeting, it was highlighted that technical and commercial losses at Discos have continued to decline during fiscal year 2026, with Islamabad, Lahore, and Gujranwala recording the lowest transmission and distribution losses. Additionally, IESCO, LESCO, GEPCO, FESCO, and MEPCO achieved 100 percent bill recoveries during this period.
To further enhance the performance of the power sector, the prime minister stressed the importance of stricter enforcement against electricity theft and the nationwide installation of smart meters. He also announced that Disco Support Units have been established in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Lahore, Multan, and Hazara to curb theft, improve recoveries, and resolve technical issues.
The government plans to complete the first phase of the Asset Performance Management System (APMS) at the transformer level by September 30. Furthermore, a proposal is under consideration for installing 16.2 million Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) smart meters in Multan, Lahore, Peshawar, Hazara, and Quetta.
In his directive, the prime minister also highlighted that distribution companies will be evaluated based on clear performance indicators with defined targets and implementation timelines. He further stated that the best-performing company would be formally recognized and rewarded for its achievements.
