The federal government has decided to launch a crackdown against Wapda officers and officials who were found involved in power theft and in this respect, the Power Division Ministry has sought surety certificates from Senior Superintendents to Linesmen of Wapda, reported 24newsHD TV channel.

According to details, now all power distribution companies’ officers and other staff will submit surety certificates to the government that their areas are free from power theft and if any irregularity is found in the area then the concerned officer and official will be held responsible.

The Pakistani government has announced a crackdown on electricity theft in the country in a bid to reduce power bills. Last week, protests erupted across the country with electricity consumers burning copies of their bills and vowing not to pay them alleging they were inflated and beyond their means.

A partial shutter-down strike was observed in different parts of the country, prompting the government to take measures to reduce power bills without violating the terms set by the International Monetary Fund.

The government has announced a strategy to crackdown on power theft and reduce bills without compromising on the IMF conditions. The minister clarified that because of the electricity theft and refusal by some consumers to pay bills, the loss gets transferred to those who dutifully pay their bills.

Reporter: Shahid Sipra