Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Establishment Division Ahad Cheema announced on Tuesday that the government plans to install smart meters on transformers across all Power Distribution Companies (DISCOs). The initiative is intended to curb electricity theft, improve billing accuracy, and protect consumers from overbilling.
During a meeting in Islamabad to review development programs for DISCOs, participants noted that positive progress has been made in securing funding for the smart metering system through the Economic Affairs Division (EAD).
Cheema stated that the government will make arrangements to ensure private investors carry the project forward following the privatization of DISCOs. He noted that negotiations with multilateral development partners for ongoing programs will continue until privatization is finished. If a DISCO is privatized while negotiations or preparations are underway, the financing and development programs will be transferred to the private investor as part of the handover, subject to agreed arrangements.
The minister emphasized that any new projects started by private investors within a DISCO must undergo competitive bidding and receive approval from the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), where applicable. Cheema stressed that the goal of privatization is not to shift costs or put undue pressure on consumers. The government intends to facilitate the process while ensuring investors meet their financial and contractual obligations and safeguarding consumer interests.
Federal Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Privatisation, and senior officials from relevant ministries attended the meeting.
