ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) : The Power Division has barred electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) from issuing manual detection bills, directing them to process such bills exclusively through a centralised online system to prevent arbitrary charges against consumers.
Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari ordered the move after taking notice of excessive and unjustified detection bills. He warned that officials involved in incorrect or unauthorised billing would face strict disciplinary action.
According to a Power Division statement issued on Friday, the new directive requires all DISCOs to use the online portal developed by the Power Information Technology Company (PITC) for issuing detection bills. Field staff and sub-divisional officers will no longer be authorised to issue these bills manually.
The minister said efforts to curb electricity theft would continue, but consumers must not be forced to pay unjustified charges. He stressed that billing procedures must comply with the law and relevant regulations.
The Power Division is also preparing amendments to the Consumer Service Manual to establish clear limits and timelines for billing and meter-related matters.
Under the proposed framework, defective or burnt meters would have to be replaced immediately or within a maximum of two billing cycles. Average billing during this period would be restricted to two months.
For meters found running fast or slow, recovery or credit adjustments would be limited to the preceding two billing cycles.
The proposed reforms also seek to limit detection billing periods. Charges for general consumers found involved in illegal electricity abstraction would be restricted to three billing cycles, while the maximum period would be six months for registered consumers and 12 months for unregistered consumers.
DISCO boards of directors and customer services committees have also been instructed to review detection bills every month to ensure accuracy, transparency and lawful recovery.
The measures aim to strengthen consumer protection while maintaining accountability and efforts to prevent electricity theft across the country.
Tags: Power Division, electricity bills, DISCOs, consumer protection, Awais Leghari, PITC, Pakistan energy sector
