If audit of electricity distribution companies is done then clear picture will come forth: Liaqat Baloch

LAHORE, April 17 (SABAH): Naib Emir Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Liaqat Baloch has said that overbilling of 83 crore on LESCO consumers case is alarming. He said if audit of other electricity distribution companies is conducted then clear picture will come forth which would be more dangerous.

In a statement, Liaqat Baloch said selling of electricity after stealing by officers of institution, free of cost electricity for employees and burden of line losses are causes of decline of WAPDA and become a burden on national kitty. He said another reason for expensive electricity includes unjust and anti-people agreements with electricity distribution companies due to which production cost of electricity has increased. This is the reason that today despite the fact that electricity is costly, circular debt of energy sector is at the highest level of the history, he added.

He said interest-based loans from International Monetary Fund (IMF) on worst conditions have caused higher prices of electricity, gas and petroleum products and added these prices are going up without any hindrance which is a cause of concern for the poor masses. For fulfilling target of IMF of 870 billion, the government will take price of electricity 100 rupees per unit till December while petrol prices would also be increased, he said.

He said big government institutions, semi government, private institutions and companies are responsible for stealing of electricity, adding this burden is covered in the shape of overbilling by the general customers. He noted if a common citizen is to be given relief then stealing of electricity and free of cost electricity would have to be ended.

Liaqat Baloch said on the side Pakistan Steel Mills, PIA and Pakistan Railways like national institutions were destroyed. In the past, the same way was adopted for privatization of national banks, he said and added the expensive institutions were sold in lower prices.