Eight electricity distribution companies overbilled consumers by Rs. 244 billion in 2023–24 to conceal line losses, inefficiencies, and theft, according to a report by the Auditor General of Pakistan.
The companies involved are IESCO, LESCO, HESCO, MEPCO, PESCO, QESCO, SEPCO, and TESCO, reported a news daily.
The audit found that five Discos overbilled 278,649 consumers by Rs. 47.81 billion in a single month. Overall, over 900 million excess units were charged to consumers during the year. No disciplinary action was taken against responsible officials.
Qesco was the largest offender, overbilling agricultural consumers by Rs. 148 billion primarily through inflated tube well charges.
An additional Rs. 22 billion was billed under “load adjustment” to mask technical losses. A total of 1,432 feeders issued inflated bills worth Rs. 18.64 billion, with audit teams denied access to related records.
Some refunds were issued, including Rs. 5.29 billion for incorrect meter readings and Rs2.18 billion in adjustments by Pesco. However, auditors said most refund claims lacked documentation.