Islamabad power utility IESCO imposes over Rs8.5 million in fines during September crackdown

The Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) has imposed fines exceeding Rs8.5 million during September as part of an intensified campaign against power theft across its service territory, according to Associated Press of Pakistan.

Power theft, which typically involves unauthorised connections or tampering with meters to avoid paying for electricity consumption, is a longstanding challenge for utility companies in Pakistan, contributing to revenue losses and inefficiencies within the national power distribution system.

Enforcement drive

IESCO's campaign appears to involve inspections and enforcement actions across the areas it serves, with fines levied against those found to be illegally drawing power outside of proper metering and billing arrangements. Such crackdowns are often part of broader efforts by Pakistan's power distribution companies to reduce what is commonly referred to as transmission and distribution losses, a significant driver of the country's circular debt problem in the energy sector.

Financial penalties for power theft are intended both to recover lost revenue and to deter future violations, though the scale of the problem across Pakistan's power sector has meant that enforcement campaigns are typically ongoing rather than one-off efforts.

No details were provided on the number of cases involved in reaching the Rs8.5 million total, or on whether further enforcement actions are planned for the remainder of the month. The figure reflects IESCO's continued focus on curbing unauthorised electricity use within its jurisdiction.