ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities concerned to minimise ongoing load shedding in different areas through better load management, considering public relief in sizzling weather.

Chairing meeting on load management and power theft, reiterated that government would strictly deal with power thieves and that ongoing mission against them would be taken to logical end. Vowing to hold monthly review of power theft situation, he asked provincial governments, law enforcement agencies and other departments to extend their support in anti-power theft drive in national interest and for country’s progress.

He told participants of meeting that government in no way would tolerate over-billing. He directed to accelerate privatisation process of power distribution companies by engaging experts and formulating strategy to solarise tube wells in Balochistan. During briefing on load management and power theft issue, participants were informed that under joint strategy formulated following conversation between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Minister for Power, it had been agreed to reduce load shedding and line losses and ensure recovery of dues from defaulters in province. It was told that areas with more power theft and line losses and low recovery ratio were being subjected to load shedding and that upgradation of south-north power transmission line would help improve system. Meeting’s participants were told that task forces were being formed at provincial and divisional levels to eliminate power theft, which would undergo a weekly performance review.

Ministers Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Dr Musaddik Malik and Awais Ahmed Leghari, Minister of State Ali Pervaiz Malik, Coordinator to PM Rana Ehsan Afzal, WAPDA chairman and relevant senior officers attended.