(Web Desk) — Federal Energy Minister Awais Leghari revealed that Pakistan is suffering staggering losses amounting to Rs600 billion annually due to electricity theft.

During an interview on private TV channel Geo News program “Jirga“, Leghari said that despite having 6,000 megawatts of surplus electricity available on Saturday, it could not be supplied due to the potential damage of Rs2.5 billion to the national exchequer. He pointed out that illegal transformers were installed in certain areas, preventing the government from supplying electricity since these feeders were not metered.

Leghari underscored the financial burden on consumers with meters if electricity were provided to these illegal connections, stating that the federation cannot afford such financial charity. He highlighted efforts by the federal government to curb electricity theft, including requests to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Sindh, while acknowledging Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s proactive support.

The minister detailed annual losses due to electricity theft, citing Rs137 billion for Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) and tribal areas, Rs51 billion in Sindh excluding Karachi, Rs133 billion in Punjab, and Rs100 billion in Balochistan. He stressed that political pressure would not deter the government’s resolve to stop electricity theft, affirming a non-partisan approach to addressing the issue.

Leghari concluded by noting the necessity of equitable measures across all provinces involved in electricity theft, dismissing attempts to politicize the issue and reaffirming the government’s commitment to ending electricity theft through effective policies and implementation.