PM Shehbaz Sharif Orders Reduction In Load Shedding Across Pakistan

Islamabad: As the summer season in Pakistan reaches its peak, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed power distribution firms to control and reduce power load-shedding. He ordered them to implement an effective system to provide better service to the countrymen, including timely registration of complaints in case of power outages, ARY News reported.

As per a statement from the PM Office Media Wing, the prime minister chaired a meeting regarding load shedding, the anti-power theft campaign and reforms in the power sector.

A discussion about load shedding, the fight against electricity theft, and power sector reforms was presided over by the prime minister.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Energy Awais Leghari, Minister for Petroleum Dr Musadik Malik, PM’s Coordinator Rana Ahsan Afzal and senior officials of the relevant ministries, the release said.

The prime minister advised that the purchase of new transformers should be in line with the international standards, besides seeking benefits from the latest adopted present-day system at the global level for bringing reforms in the energy sector, according to the ARY News.

The Prime Minister also rolled out strict instructions to stop overbilling in the country.

PM Shehbaz was apprised of the progress on anti-power theft campaign which was successfully underway with the support of provincial governments, as per ARY News. It was further stated that from September 7, 2023 till date, 1,60,004 FIRs had been filed, 79,885 persons were arrested, and 448 staff had been suspended.

In the gathering, an update on the state of power supply and demand was shared, along with the reasons contributing to the frequent power interruptions. Areas battling with rampant power theft and defaulting bill payments were subjected to load shedding. However, regions demonstrating responsible payment behaviors were spared from such power cuts.