Latest news with #IESCO
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Climate
- Business Recorder
IESCO chief urges consumers for precautions during rains
ISLAMABAD: Chairman IESCO Dr Tahir Masood has requested the esteemed consumers regarding the ongoing rains in the IESCO region that IESCO administration is making every effort to take all measures to protect consumers from life and financial losses due to electrical accidents. In this regard, consumers are also requested to maintain a proper distance from electrical wires, poles, transformers, meters and other electrical equipment during rain. Never touch electrical equipment with wet hands or body. Use rubber shoes while using electrical equipment. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Discos: JI chief condemns overbilling practices
LAHORE: Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, has strongly condemned the overbilling practices of power distribution companies, following the revelations in a recent audit report by the Auditor General of Pakistan. The report highlights over Rs 244 billion worth of unjustified billing imposed on the public under the guise of covering line losses and mismanagement. Commenting on the findings, Rehman said 'It is utterly shameful that the burden of Rs 244 billion is being placed on the public to cover up for inefficiencies and line losses. This is not just negligence; it is economic exploitation. The government must immediately return this amount to the people.' In a statement shared on social media platform X, the JI chief declared over billing as 'a grave form of corruption and administrative failure,' stressing that the citizens are being punished for the incompetence and mis governance of ruling authorities and related institutions. The Auditor General's report identified IESCO, LESCO, MEPCO, SEPCO, HESCO, PESCO, QESCO, and TESCO as the key culprits involved in the over billing. While the companies have reportedly claimed to have returned the amount, the audit report clarified that they failed to provide any verifiable evidence supporting their claims. Rehman reiterated his demand for full transparency and accountability, urging the government to take immediate corrective action and deliver justice to the overburdened consumers. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
7 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
IESCO reports significant improvements in performance
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) has reported significant improvements in its performance regarding revenue recovery and reduction in transmission and distribution losses during the financial year 2024–25. According to official figures, the IESCO successfully reduced its transmission and distribution losses from 8.75 percent at the end of FY 2023–24 to 8.39 percent by the end of FY 2024–25. In addition, the company achieved 100 percent electricity bill collection during FY 2024–25, up from 98.2 percent the previous year. As a result of improved revenue recovery and reduced line losses, IESCO managed to save a substantial amount of Rs 14.7 billion — a remarkable achievement attributed to the concerted efforts of all departments. During this period, IESCO teams also ensured the timely installation and billing of 200,000 new electricity connections across various consumer categories. IESCO Chairman Dr Tahir Masood, along with the Board of Directors, commended Chief Executive Muhammad Naeem Jan and the entire IESCO staff — especially the field teams — for their outstanding performance. He credited the achievement to effective teamwork, strategic planning, and the dedication of all IESCO formations. Dr Masood also expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Laghari, and their team for their leadership, guidance, and unwavering support, which he said played a crucial role in the company's success. He highlighted that the ongoing crackdown on electricity theft and defaulters, timely maintenance of the power distribution system, accurate meter readings, and the efficient use of advanced technology have all contributed to IESCO's current strong performance. Dr Masood reaffirmed IESCO's commitment to further improving services and setting a performance benchmark for other power distribution companies across Pakistan. Meanwhile, IESCO has reported significant damage to its power distribution system across the region following recent heavy rainfall and flash floods, particularly affecting Rawalpindi City Circle, Chakwal Circle, Jhelum Circle, and surrounding areas. The severe weather conditions resulted in the collapse of several HT (High Tension) and LT (Low Tension) poles, leading to broken power lines and transformer failures in multiple locations. In some areas, floodwaters even entered residential homes, prompting IESCO to temporarily suspend electricity supply in accordance with safety codes to prevent any risk to life and infrastructure. According to detailed reports, 43 HT poles and 7 LT poles fell due to flooding and overflowing storm drains. This caused complete power outages on various feeders, including Shahpur Syedan, Basharat, Tharpal, Jhand Khan, Mort Hassnot, New Sanguai, I-14/3, Officer Colony, and Ameer Hamza Colony feeders. Additional faults on feeders, transformers, and individual consumer complaints have also been reported in various localities. IESCO Chief Executive Muhammad Naeem Jan has placed the Operations, Construction, GSO, and GSE formations on high alert and directed all officers to remain in the field with their teams to manage restoration efforts. The central control room in Islamabad is monitoring the power restoration efforts 24/7. He also requested valuable customers to cooperate with IESCO field formations. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
14-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
IESCO launches ‘Apna Meter Apni Reading' App
ISLAMABAD: The Chief Executive Officer of Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), Muhammad Naeem Jan, announced that as part of the Government of Pakistan and Ministry of Energy (Power Division)'s ongoing customer-friendly initiatives, a new advanced technology-based application—Apna Meter Apni Reading—has been launched. This smart power application allows electricity consumers to participate directly in the billing process. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Blackouts and broken promises: lessons from KE's privatisation — II
Lessons and way forward The bottom line for consumers is that privatisation did not deliver reliable power, reasonable rates, or responsible management. Instead, they have faced many of the same issues that plague public utilities — load shedding, line losses, billing disputes — plus new frustrations like feeling powerless against a monopoly. This experience holds important lessons for the wider power sector privatization agenda. As the government prepares to offload FESCO, GEPCO, IESCO and others from its portfolio, that the country cannot afford to repeat. To ensure that future transactions genuinely serve consumers and the economy, the following safeguards must be made non-negotiable in all upcoming privatization deals: Robust Service-Level Agreements (SLAs): Contracts must specify maximum allowable outage hours per feeder and include automatic, pre-specified financial penalties that bite—not token fines that become a cost of doing business. Smart Metering Enforcement: Advanced metering infrastructure should be deployed to its full potential. Delinquent connections must be isolated at the sub-feeder level, ensuring compliant consumers never suffer for others' theft or nonpayment. Blackouts and broken promises: lessons from KE's privatisation — I Automatic Profit Rebates: Tariff structures must embed an automatic 'claw-back' mechanism, with rebate payments to consumers triggered immediately once earnings thresholds are breached—delay through litigation must be disallowed. Safety and Infrastructure Mandates: Investment commitments for line insulation, transformer replacements and real-time network monitoring must be mandatory, audited by third parties and published publicly every quarter. Independent Oversight Body: Beyond Nepra, an independent 'Power Service Commission' — with equal representation from federal, provincial and consumer bodies—should have authority to review SLAs, impose penalties, and even revoke licenses in extreme cases. Consumer Grievance Escalation Path: A transparent, tiered complaints process—culminating in a binding arbitration panel—will give consumers and businesses a credible avenue to resolve billing or service disputes without endless bureaucratic delay. If these mechanisms are not embedded from the outset, Pakistan risks entrenching private monopolies that are just as opaque and unaccountable as the public ones they replace, only with even fewer tools for course correction. The next phase of privatization must not merely change ownership, it should rewrite the rules of engagement between utilities and the people they serve. Anything less will repeat the same mistakes, at a much higher cost. (Concluded) Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
