PESHAWAR, Sep 11 (APP): Peshawar Electricity Supply Company (PESCO) spokesman here Monday said stealing of electricity was a social crime and upto 7 years rigorous imprisonment and Rs10 million fine or both could be imposed against the power thieves.

“Like banks and houses’ robberies, electricity’s stealing was also a crime. Besides three to seven years rigorous imprisonment in jails, a fine of Rs one million to Rs10 million or both could be imposed against the power stealers under the law,” Usman Aslam, PESCO spokesman told APP on Monday.

He said that videos of the direct hooks of accused involved in power pilferage were being prepared so that prompt legal action could be taken against them.

Usman said PESCO had suffered 42.10 percent losses due to electricity theft this year against 42.15 percent in 2022, showing 0.5 percent reduction due to a crackdown against electricity stealers this year.

The anti-electricity theft operation has been intensified in KP where over 600 direct hooks were removed besides imposing over Rs eight million fine, he said.

He said applications for registration of FIRs against more than 300 persons involved in electricity theft were submitted by the SDOs.

“The electricity theives, who were caught red-handed, were handed over to police,” he said.

“We are also concentrating on recovery of the outstanding dues in KP where 92pc recovery was achieved this year due to the company’s successful strategies and actions against the defaulted domestic, agriculture and industrial consumers,” he said.

Keeping in view of the country’s shabby economic situation, he said a crackdown against electricity stealers were the best option to provide relief to consumers in billing.

“Protest is no solution to any problem. It is also the responsibility of the people to make a close vigil on their surroundings and inform PESCO authorities for timely action against power thieves,” he said.

The spokesman urged people to call 118 for sharing of information against elements involved in power pilferage so that prompt action could be taken against the power thieves.

Besides social boycotts, he said that electricity stealers should be given the same treatment in society as being provided to other thieves.

He said consumers who paid bills were also suffered due to direct hooks in the shape of extra load shedding and urged masses to expose elements involved in electricity pilferage besides making their social boycotts.

He said that Deputy Commissioners and DPOs have provided security to the PESCO staff during ongoing campaign against power theft in the province.

“After seeing promptness in the anti theft electricity operations, several stealers have removed direct hooks voluntarily,” he said.

Usman said power stealing were not only overloading the transformers but also caused fluctuations besides increased line losses.

The spokesman said the electricity demand and supply gap could be narrowed by removing illegal connections for which cooperation of consumers carried vital importance.

APP/fam/1545