PM Shehbaz orders reduction in loadshedding amid rising summer temperatures

• PM Shehbaz chairs meeting on reforms in power sector.
• He calls for end to overbilling in country for people.
• He advises power distribution companies to form active system.
  

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed for reduction in power loadshedding in the country on Tuesday amid rising temperatures during the summer season.

For the facilitation of consumers to ensure the registration of timely complaints regarding power outages, the premier directed the power distribution companies to establish effective and active system. 

A meeting regarding loadshedding, the anti-power theft campaign and reforms in the power sector was held in the federal capital on Tuesday with the prime minister in chair.

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 attended the meeting, the PM Office Media Wing said in a statement.

The prime minister advised that 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.

He also directed the provincial governments to fully support the anti-power theft drive and ensure exemplary punishment to those involved in power theft.

The prime minister also strictly directed to end overbilling in the country.

During the meeting, the prime minister was apprised that till May 30, 134 cases had been registered and a total of 90 employees were arrested.

A briefing over the re-organisation of National Transmission and Dispatch Company and the progress achieved so far in that regard was given.

Under the reforms in energy sector, a project related to metering of a total of 124,611 transformers was included in the upcoming development budget, whereas with the cooperation of Asian Development Bank one third of the power consumers of IESCO were being shifted to smart meters which would be enhanced to other areas of the country later on.

The meeting was given a briefing over the demand and supply of power and the causes of loadshedding.

The better recovery areas were loadshedding free whereas it was carried out in the defaulted departments and power thievery areas.

The prime minister was apprised of the progress on anti-power theft campaign which was successfully underway with the support of provincial governments.

From September 7, 2023 to this date, 1,60,004 FIRs had been registered, 79,885 people had been arrested while 448 employees were suspended, it was further added.