Islamabad, December 28, 2024 – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has instructed the expeditious installation of smart meters across the country to enhance transparency in the electricity billing system and implement robust measures to curb electricity theft. The directive came during a high-level review meeting on the performance of Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs).
The meeting focused on the operations of Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO), Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO), and Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO), according to a press release from the PM Office Media Wing.
Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed his dissatisfaction with instances of overbilling, calling it unacceptable, and assured strict action against officials involved in such practices. Highlighting the importance of merit-based recruitment, he emphasized the need for transparency in appointing Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) for DISCOs and directed the immediate completion of the appointment process.
During the briefing, the prime minister stressed the urgent deployment of smart meters as a key initiative to enhance efficiency and reduce losses. He directed all available resources be utilized to meet the performance targets set by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA).
The meeting reviewed recovery rates for FY 2024-25 (up to November), which stood at 96.82% for LESCO, 87.98% for PESCO, and 97.57% for FESCO. It also discussed transmission and distribution losses during the same period: LESCO reported 13.04%, PESCO 33%, and FESCO 6.01%.
Progress on the installation of smart meters was presented:
• LESCO: 49,470 out of 223,365 three-phase smart meters installed.
• PESCO: 51,173 out of 152,559 smart meters installed.
• FESCO: 11,276 out of 192,311 smart meters installed.
These smart meters are expected to significantly improve billing accuracy, minimize theft, and optimize resource management.
LESCO, PESCO, and FESCO have implemented consumer complaint resolution mechanisms through call centers, emails, websites, interactive voice response (IVR) systems, and NEPRA’s mobile and web services. Additionally, consumers can access the 118 helpline for electricity-related complaints, with free access ensured across all mobile operators.
The complaint resolution rates (up to November) were also highlighted: 99.2% for LESCO, 99.9% for PESCO, and 99.7% for FESCO.
Prime Minister Shehbaz reiterated his commitment to modernizing the electricity sector, noting that smart meters play a pivotal role in addressing inefficiencies and achieving transparency in the system. Ministers and senior officials, including Ahsan Iqbal and Sardar Owais Ahmad Khan Leghari, were present at the meeting to discuss further steps in the electricity sector reforms.
