• PM-ordered inquiry confirms widespread overbilling in Lahore; officials penalised
• Power division says electricity duty cannot be abolished without provincial consent
• Industrial consumers complain of 14pc tariff hike, rising system losses, eroding competitiveness

ISLAMABAD: Confirming widespread overbilling and subsequent punitive action against relevant electricity officials in Lahore following a probe ordered by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Power Division on Monday said the federal government cannot abolish electricity duty — as announced by the power minister — without the consent of the provincial governments.

Testifying at a public hearing held by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra), Additional Secretary for Power Mehfooz Bhatti reported that an inquiry ordered by the prime minister into overbilling complaints against Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) had been completed and action had also been taken against those responsible.

Mr Bhatti said the inquiry report had been submitted to the prime minister and, hence, he would refrain from discussing the matter until its recommendations were processed through relevant channels and formally presented before the regulator.

This statement led various consumers to raise concerns about similar overbilling practices in other power companies and demanded through probes.

The regulator had called the public hearing on the request of ex-Wapda distribution companies (Discos) seeking a negative quarterly adjustment of Rs1.80 per unit to refund about Rs53.4 billion........

© Dawn Business