Islamabad, March 6, 2026 Islamabad Electric Supply Company (ESCO) has achieved a 95 percent recovery in cases related to electricity theft during 2025, while total technical and commercial (AT&C) losses fell to single digits in line with targets set by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), said CEO Engineer Chaudhry Khalid Mahmood.
In an interview with APP, the ISESCO chief said the company registered 2,092 first information reports against energy theft during the year and arrested 785 people. A total of 3,402,341 units were charged to the perpetrators, while statement invoices worth Rs177.88 million were issued, of which Rs168.90 million were recovered, reflecting a recovery rate of 95 percent.
He said the company also successfully completed the target of installing 1.2 million Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters in the region. Rawalpindi area, which is a major step towards improving transparency and reducing energy loss.
Mahmood said that a higher number of incidents of electricity theft were reported in areas including Bhara Kahu, Nellore, Tarnol, Golra and Rawal. To reduce illegal hookups and direct connections in these areas, the Aerial Cable (ABC) system was introduced, which greatly reduced line losses.
Giving details about the circle, he said that the highest number of FIRs, i.e. 818, were registered in Attock circle, followed by 318 in Rawalpindi city, 303 in Islamabad, 237 in Chakwal, 283 in Rawalpindi Cantt, and 133 in Jhelum. While Rawalpindi achieved a 100 percent recovery rate.
He said that most cases of electricity theft were related to direct supply or loop connections, representing 1,900 incidents, while 192 cases were related to tampering with meters, tilting, or switching methods.
The ISESCO President said that joint operations carried out by operations teams and meter monitoring and testing (M&T) units in the local, commercial, industrial and agricultural sectors have been intensified.
Besides enforcement actions, the company has also been running awareness campaigns, including on social media, to discourage energy theft.
It urged consumers to report electricity theft through the 118 helpline, while ensuring that the identity of informants would remain confidential.
Mahmoud said the system enhancement has significantly reduced line losses, while AT&C performance has improved to single digits in accordance with NEPRA set targets, reflecting effective monitoring and operating procedures.
He also appreciated the performance of the Project Director, Syed Mohsin Raza Gilani, saying that under his leadership nearly 1.2 million smart meters have been installed in Rawalpindi district so far. Installing AMI meters not only improved recovery rates, but also ensured accurate billing, automated meter reading, improved electricity theft control, reduced system overload, and reduced incidents of transformer and meter burnouts.
He said scanning meters have also been installed on transformers to enhance monitoring and transparency in the power distribution system.
Highlighting consumer facilitation initiatives, ISESCO President said, in line with the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Federalism Minister of Energy (Energy Department), Sardar Owais Ahmad Khan Leghari, customer facilitation centers have been set up at various locations including ISESCO Head Office, G-9 and Mandir Chowk.
He added that these centers provide services such as facilities for installments of electricity bills, extending due dates, correcting bills, changing name and address, registering complaints, reporting electricity faults, and submitting requests for new electrical connections.
Mahmoud said that modern technology has been introduced into the centers to ensure the provision of fast and effective services to consumers and to enhance transparency in the electricity distribution system.
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