Pakistan’s power distribution companies (DISCOs) collectively incurred additional losses of Rs. 276.81 billion during the fiscal year 2023–24, putting the energy sector under severe financial strain.
An audit report revealed that transmission and distribution (T&D) losses rose to 18.31 percent, significantly higher than the 11.77 percent loss target set by NEPRA, resulting in substantial revenue gaps.
Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) led the chart with extra losses amounting to Rs. 97.17 billion, followed by Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) with Rs. 47.63 billion and Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) with Rs. 36.75 billion.
Other major contributors included:
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Sukkur Electric Supply Company: Rs. 29 billion
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Hyderabad Electric Supply Company: Rs. 23.18 billion
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Multan Electric Supply Company: Rs. 22.66 billion
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Gujranwala Electric Supply Company: Rs. 9.22 billion
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Islamabad Electric Supply Company: Rs. 5.87 billion
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Faisalabad Electric Supply Company: Rs. 5 billion
Overall, circular debt increased by more than Rs. 235 billion, primarily due to under-recovery of electricity bills, with Rs. 3,885 billion recovered against a target of Rs. 4,081 billion.
The government invested Rs. 163 billion to improve power distribution performance, yet the losses persisted.
The Auditor General also raised concerns over the debt servicing surcharge being collected from consumers, recommending a shift from burdening consumers to enforcing accountability, improving recoveries, and implementing governance reforms.
WHAT SAYS THE LAW IN THIS REGARD AND WHO SHOLD BE ACCOUNTED FOR .
Nothing extra ordinary. Ordinary citizens have paying losses and free electricity for elites for many decades.
Tell us some things new. In modern language ” new normal”.