SC suggests introducing pre-paid meters to curb power theft

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) Thursday suggested that introduction of pre-paid meters would help reduce power theft and line losses, Geo News reported.

The Supreme Court directed the Chairman Alternate Energy Board (AEB) to place all the record before it regarding AEB's working, achievements and feasibility reports since its establishment in 2004.

The apex court also directed the AEB to give a detailed briefing to it during the next hearing about the electricity generation through geothermal technique in order to overcome its shortage in the country.

The directives were issued by a three-member bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed while hearing a suo moto notice regarding the power shortage and prolonged loadshedding in the country.

During the course of proceedings, AEB Chairman Arif Allaudin appraised the court that the Board was formed in 2004 to find out alternate energy sources.

Responding to a query by the Chief Justice about the AEB's achievements, Allaudin said that the Board had successfully installed a 106 Megawatt power plant in Sindh while work on three projects in Thatta was continuing.

Earlier, the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) Chairman apprised the court that according to the 1991's pact, water was a provincial subject and the provinces had to decide about its distribution.

The Chief Justice remarked that 32 to 35 per cent electricity in the country was generated through water, then why was the responsibility shifted to others by terming it a provincial subject.

Zargham Ishaq, Managing Director PEPCO, informed the court that up-gradation of the electricity distribution system was being carried out on massive scale, which would help improve the power situation.

He added that the consumers were being given subsidy of Rs 3 per unit as they were charged Rs 8.99 against actual cost of Rs 11.91 per unit.

The court observed that the power companies should consult eminent scientists to overcome this national issue.

In the end the court was adjourned till May 9.