Key Takeaways
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered a comprehensive technical audit of power distribution companies' billing systems.
- The best-performing Disco will be formally recognised and awarded as an incentive.
- Solarisation projects at the village level are directed to address load-shedding in rural areas.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered a comprehensive technical audit of billing systems within power distribution companies (Discos) across Pakistan, according to a Prime Minister’s Office news release.
The prime minister stressed that while the performance of Discos had improved significantly, more efforts were still required. He highlighted the importance of installing smart meters for the sector's turnaround and announced that strict measures should be enforced at every level of the power sector to eliminate electricity theft.
To incentivise better performance among the companies, PM Shehbaz stated that the best-performing Disco would be formally recognised and awarded. This move aims to foster healthy competition among the distribution companies.
In an effort to address load-shedding in rural areas, the prime minister directed the development of solarisation projects at the village level. He noted that decentralised solar solutions could ease the burden on the national grid.
Officials informed the meeting that technical and commercial losses of Discos were gradually declining. Islamabad, Lahore, and Gujranwala electric supply companies recorded the lowest transmission and distribution losses during the last fiscal year. These companies also achieved 100 per cent recoveries in the fiscal year 2025-26.
To curb electricity theft, improve recoveries, and better resolve technical issues, Disco Support Units have already been established in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Lahore, Multan, and Hazara electric supply companies. The first phase of installing an Asset Performance Management System (APMS) at the transformer level is scheduled for completion by September 30.
Additionally, a plan to install 16.2 million single-phase Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters in the Multan, Lahore, Peshawar, Hazara, and Quetta regions is under consideration. These measures are expected to help reduce both electricity theft and load-shedding.
