ISLAMABAD: An official audit has exposed that eight Electricity Distribution companies (DISCOs) drained Rs 244 billion from consumers through inflated billing across the country.
The Auditor General of Pakistan’s (AGP) latest report reported that these power distribution companies overbilled consumers allegedly to hide inefficiencies, line losses, and electricity theft.
The companies Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco), Lahore (Lesco), Hyderabad (Hesco), Multan (Mepco), Peshawar (Pesco), Quetta (Qesco), Sukkur (Sepco), and Tribal Areas Electric Supply Company (Tesco), among those involved.
The report further added that five of the companies reportedly overbilled 278,649 consumers by Rs47.81 billion in a single month, and over 900 million extra units were billed to customers during the 2023–24 financial year.
Moreover, the companies drained Rs22 billion in the name of adjusting load to cover technical losses, the audit reveals.
In some cases, companies claimed to have refunded billions of rupees, but audit authorities said no evidence was provided and demanded records for verification.
The report highlights Qesco as the worst offender, with Rs148 billion in overbilling to agricultural consumers. It alleges that Qesco inflated tube well bills to mask poor performance.
Audit officials have sought explanations from all eight companies.
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