Audit authorities have identified financial irregularities amounting to Rs 8,727 billion in the Power Division over the past two years, while it has also been revealed that consumers were overcharged by Rs 8 billion through overbilling. More than a thousand feeders were found to have added extra units, causing losses to consumers. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has demanded action against the officials involved.
According to details, a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee was held yesterday under the chairmanship of Shahida Akhtar Ali, in which audit objections related to the Power Division for the year 2022–23 were reviewed. It was also disclosed that over Rs 8 billion in additional revenue was collected through overbilling. Audit officials stated that consumers suffered losses of more than Rs 8 billion due to billing for units beyond actual consumption, and that overbilling occurred on more than a thousand feeders operated by distribution companies.
During the meeting, it was unanimously agreed—at the time of the PAC requisition meeting—that until PAC Chairman Junaid Akbar returns, the committee will be jointly chaired by all parties. Reviewing the Power Division’s audit report for 2023–24, audit authorities reported total financial irregularities amounting to Rs 8,727 billion. They further informed that recoveries of over Rs 934 million have already been made.
According to the audit report, a total of Rs 9.14 billion in unauthorized refunds was given to consumers by four DISCOs. Audit officials added that 293,572 consumers were granted slab or tariff relief, which was provided between 2018 and 2023. PAC member Syed Hussain Tariq questioned what action had been taken against officials responsible for incorrect billing and how much recovery had been made. The Auditor General explained that the DISCOs had provided this relief to active consumers, whereas it was allowed only for disconnected consumers.
The Secretary of the Power Division stated that meter-reading images are now displayed on the bills of all DISCOs, and consumers can also upload photos of their meter readings through a mobile app.
