A parliamentary panel has directed the Power Division to provide feeder-wise details of loadshedding, power theft and tariff and recommended inviting the NEPRA chairman to brief lawmakers on the regulatory framework governing loadshedding and enforcement.
Committee Approves Bills
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Power, which met under the chairmanship of acting Chairman Sheikh Aftab Ahmed, approved The Regulation of Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and The Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2026, after being informed by the Power Division that the proposed changes were largely procedural and technical measures aimed at aligning legislation with administrative requirements.
Haripur Grid Station Controversy
The meeting also took up the controversial issue of the relocation of the Haripur Grid Station, where lawmakers demanded accountability. Raja Qamar-ul-Islam called for action against all officials found responsible, arguing that failure to pursue the matter would amount to “sweeping the issue under the carpet.” He urged authorities to initiate criminal proceedings in accordance with the law. Committee member Babar Nawaz Khan, however, maintained that the funds allocated for the grid station had not been wasted, noting that the site would eventually be acquired by HAZECO and that no financial loss had occurred.
Former GENCO Employees Adjustment
The committee reviewed the adjustment of former GENCO employees in distribution companies. Power Division officials informed lawmakers that nearly 2,800 employees had been accommodated in DISCOs following legal and administrative efforts. Syed Waseem Hussain said the employees had been absorbed in the same grades they previously held in GENCOs. The committee recommended that future placements, wherever possible, be made in distribution companies nearest to employees’ domiciles.
Loadshedding Concerns
Loadshedding practices emerged as a major concern during the meeting. Syed Waseem questioned whether outages were being carried out in line with NEPRA’s regulatory framework, pointing to cases where feeders with losses exceeding 70% reportedly faced less than eight hours of outages while some feeders with losses around 40% endured up to 16 hours of load-shedding. Muhammad Shahryar Khan Mahar criticized the imposition of “detection charges” on consumers and highlighted complaints that industrial areas receive uninterrupted electricity supplies while surrounding residential areas face prolonged nighttime outages. He also drew attention to delayed repairs of damaged power infrastructure, saying residents in some areas had resorted to erecting makeshift poles after waiting months for repairs.
Detection Charges and Losses
Power Division officials acknowledged that the practice of levying detection charges was contentious and confirmed that no specific rules existed for such charges, although a procedure was available under the Consumer Service Manual. Officials further informed the committee that some feeders were experiencing losses as high as 95% due to widespread non-payment of bills and electricity theft.
Committee Directives
The committee directed the Power Division to provide feeder-wise details of load-shedding, power theft and tariff rates in HESCO and SEPCO at its next meeting in line with NEPRA regulations.
