President promulgates ordinance declaring power pilferage cognizable offence

President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday promulgated an ordinance to declare power pilferage a cognizable offence.

Through the Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance 2023, the president amended Section 462 (O) of the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860.

According to a President House statement, the electricity distribution companies were earlier facing difficulties registering FIRs of power theft incidents.

Under the new ordinance, electricity theft incidents will be a cognisable offence.

After the Ordinance, theft of electricity will be a cognisable offence on the complaint of not only officers of grade 17 or above but also the nominees of CEOs of electricity distribution companies.