ISLAMABAD: K-Electric (KE) has reported a staggering Rs44 billion loss in 2024 alone, driven by rampant electricity theft through the illegal kunda system, non-metered usage, and unpaid bills, senior company officials informed the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Government Assurances on Monday.
Chaired by MNA Nuzhat Sadiq, the committee lambasted KE for its persistent operational failures, including unscheduled load-shedding and reliance on average-based billing, despite receiving substantial federal support. Lawmakers directed KE to immediately halt unannounced power outages and work with local representatives to expand metered coverage.
The committee emphasized that honest, paying consumers must not bear the burden of KE’s inability to curb power theft or recover dues, vowing to review the utility’s compliance with its directives in one month.
KE has previously disclosed recovery losses of Rs122.77 billion from 2017 to 2023, and since its privatization in 2006, consumers have benefited from Rs804 billion in federal Tariff Differential Subsidies (TDS)—meant to offset the gap between KE’s high generation costs and the uniform national tariff. Yet, the company continues to face serious recovery challenges.
In a wider agenda, the committee also urged the Ministry of Communications and the National Highway Authority (NHA) to expedite the rehabilitation of flood-damaged roads in Sindh and repair the Chakdara–Upper Dir Road in KP ahead of the monsoon season. A full report on the NHA’s repair budget was requested.
Additionally, the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis announced that the Protectorate of Emigrants office, initially planned for Mansehra, will instead be established in Abbottabad to serve Hazara Division. Lawmakers approved the change and demanded swift implementation.
Addressing overbilling in Balochistan, SSGCL officials clarified that the special gas tariff—mandated by the Balochistan High Court—is currently under Supreme Court review, and billing adjustments will be made based on the final verdict.
The session was attended by MNAs including Shahida Rehmani, Aasia Ishaque Siddiqui, Sardar Nabil Gabol, and others, underlining mounting political pressure for transparency and performance in public utilities.
Story by Israr Khan
