NA panel directs KE to immediately end unscheduled power

• NA panel demands action on unmetered connections.
• KE still struggling despite Rs804bn in subsidies.
• Rs122bn in recovery losses reported since 2017.
  

ISLAMABAD: K-Electric (KE) has reported losses amounting to Rs44 billion in 2024 alone, attributed to unpaid electricity bills, widespread power theft through the "kunda" system, and non-metered consumption, the utility’s senior officials informed a parliamentary committee on Monday, The News reported.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Government Assurances, chaired by MNA Nuzhat Sadiq, criticised the company for worsening public hardship through unannounced load-shedding and average-based billing, while failing to address deep-rooted inefficiencies.

The committee instructed KE to immediately end unscheduled power outages and to work with local representatives to expand metered billing coverage across its network.

Lawmakers emphasised that paying consumers must not be penalised for the company’s inability to control power theft or recover dues. The committee vowed to revisit KE’s compliance with its recommendations after one month.

Notably, in its recent petition before the Nepra, the utility has reported recovery losses of huge Rs122.77 billion (2017-23), and now in 2024, the official of the utility reported additional Rs44 billion losses. 

Since 2006, KE consumers have received Rs804 billion in federal tariff differential subsidies (TDS) to bridge the gap between the high cost of KE’s power generation and the uniform national tariff. It is still struggling with recoveries.

The NA committee also ordered the Ministry of Communications and National Highway Authority (NHA) to expedite the rehabilitation of highways damaged by floods in Sindh and the dilapidated Chakdara–Upper Dir Road in KP. With monsoon season approaching, it called for a strategic maintenance plan and demanded a full breakdown of the NHA’s routine repair budget.

On another issue, the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis informed the committee that instead of Mansehra, the promised Protectorate of Emigrants office will be established in Abbottabad — just 24 kilometres away — to serve the Hazara Division. Lawmakers accepted the revision but demanded prompt execution.

Regarding overbilling of gas in Balochistan, officials from Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) said a special tariff, enforced by a Balochistan High Court directive, is now under review in the Supreme Court. They assured that billing will be adjusted in accordance with the court’s final ruling.

The meeting was attended by a cross-section of MNAs, including Shahida Rehmani, Aasia Ishaque Siddiqui, Sardar Nabil Gabol, and others, reflecting growing political pressure for accountability in key public service sectors.