Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) has launched a campaign titled “Know Your Consumer” (KYC) to update and verify information about electricity users across its network.
Field staff, including SDOs, meter reading supervisors, and meter readers, have been instructed to verify and collect information such as:
- CNIC numbers of tenants and owners
- Mobile contact numbers
- Occupancy status (owner or tenant)
- Details of multiple meters registered under one consumer
- Identification and tagging of all meters at the same premises
Chief Engineer (Commercial) Ghulam Sarwar appealed to customers to cooperate with staff, saying the data will help improve service delivery and strengthen connections with consumers.
However, the campaign has raised concerns among traders. Many believe the data could be shared with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). Trader representative Sarfraz Mughal told media that IESCO already possesses much of the required information since CNICs, property documents, and phone numbers are mandatory for installing meters. He argued the exercise appears unnecessary unless the goal is to address outdated records where owners may have passed away or tenants moved out.
“Despite our reservations, we will cooperate with Iesco,” Mughal said. “But the company should focus on consumer-friendly measures like curbing electricity theft and lowering power tariffs.”
An IESCO official clarified that the campaign is not intended for FBR use, but rather to improve customer service. He said the data will allow timely registration of complaints and better communication regarding outages. He also revealed that a similar attempt was made in the past but failed due to a lack of cooperation, particularly from traders.
First why didn’t they maintained the record at first place. And instead of this campaign they should provide the online portal and let the consumers to update their records. They charge as per meter reading not by gender or who is using tenant or not. As long as installed meter is giving them revenue all fine.
If people installed multiple meters and they think it’s illegal then catch the culprit in their office who approved that connection.
Iesco has already data regarding owner of house with CNIC no. .There is no need for extra exercise for this purpose. It will be just wastage of time energy and money. U can update from available record with Iesco.There will need to go through files from there you will find all requisite information. Yes issue of contact no .There is always solution of evey issue. You can collect this informati9n from the monthly bills . Make space for telephone no on Iesco bill portion . Customer will fill this information make it mandatory to check while depositing monthly bill. Both online / banks any other mode of payment.