**ISLAMABAD:** Prime Minister **Shehbaz Sharif** on Thursday directed a comprehensive technical audit of the billing systems of power distribution companies (Discos), reaffirming that reforming the power sector remains one of the government’s top priorities.
Chairing a review meeting on Power Division affairs, the prime minister acknowledged that while the performance of Discos had improved, significant efforts were still needed to enhance efficiency and service delivery, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
He described the nationwide installation of **smart electricity meters** as essential for modernising the power sector and improving transparency in billing and consumption monitoring.
The prime minister also called for strict enforcement measures across the power sector to eliminate electricity theft and directed the Power Division to establish clear performance indicators for Discos, supported by measurable targets and defined implementation timelines.
To promote accountability and healthy competition, Shehbaz Sharif announced that the best-performing power distribution company would receive formal recognition and an award for outstanding performance.
Addressing the issue of prolonged power outages in rural areas, he instructed the Power Division to develop **village-level solarisation projects**, saying decentralised renewable energy solutions could reduce dependence on the national grid and improve electricity access in remote regions.
Separately, the prime minister chaired a meeting on services for overseas Pakistanis, during which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefed him on plans to enhance facilities at Pakistani embassies, digitise the document attestation process, simplify the complaints mechanism and introduce digital systems enabling overseas Pakistanis to complete various official procedures and payments remotely.
Shehbaz Sharif said overseas Pakistanis are among the country’s most valuable assets and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing them with the highest standard of services and support.
