ISL AMABAD: The Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) has issued notices to the Azad Kashmir government and several federal and provincial government institutions, asking them to clear outstanding dues of over Rs71 billion in a week or face electricity disconnection.

Chief Executive Officer Dr Muhammad Amjad Khan said that timely payment of electricity bills was crucial to ensure uninterrupted power supply and the timely completion ofongoing system upgrade projects.

According to the details, the government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has to clear dues of Rs54.86 billion, the Ministry of Defence Rs5.29 billion, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Rs4.06 billion, the CDA (Pak Secretariat) Rs1.06 billion, CDA (Cabinet Secretariat) Rs116 million, CDA (Senate chairman) Rs68 million, Cantt Board Chaklala Rs1.64 billion, Cantt Board Rawalpindi Rs256 million, Wasa Rs967 million, and the Ministry of Railways Rs295 million.

Hospitals operated by the federal government have to pay Rs279 million, Pakistan PWD Rs260 million, federal police Rs251 million, TMA Rawal Town Rs190 million, TMA Murree Rs162 million, Ministry of Interior Rs143 million, Punjab Police Rs135 million, Parliament Lodges Rs118 million, Punjab Jail and Convict Settlement Rs116 million,Ministry of Health Rs76 million, PBC Rs75 million, Ministry of Culture and Sports Rs75 million, and GM Hydel has to pay Rs 66 million, said the statement.

Punjab Health and Welfare Department has to pay Rs54 million, Chief Commissioner Islamabad Rs51 million, Ministry of Education Rs48 million, TMA Hassanabdal Rs46 million, the FIA Rs32 million, District and Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Rawalpindi Rs28 million, AG Maintenance (DP) Rs28 million, Ministry of Hajj and Auqaf Rs25 million, Health District Government Rawalpindi Rs24 million, Ministry of Environment and URB Rs23 million, Balochistan House Rs23 million, Cantt Board Attock Rs21 million, Islamabad High Court Rs20 million, and District Government Rawalpindi has to pay Rs19 million.

Similarly, Health District Government Jhelum owes Rs18 million, TMA PotoharTown Rs18 million, FBR/CBR Rs16 million, District and Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Attock Rs16 million, TMA Jhelum Rs15 million, Director General Special Education Rs14 million, Meteorological Department Rs12 million, Ministry of Local Government Rs12 million, Intelligence Bureau Rs10 million, NHA Rs10 million and Sindh House owes Rs10 million.

The Iesco administration has requested the heads of all defaulting government institutions to pay their outstanding electricity bills and to contact the relevant revenue office or the Commercial Directorate at Iesco Headquarters for any query or information. According to the Iesco spokesperson, defaulters have been directed to clear their dues within a week of notices and all operation circle in-charges have been directed to ensure the recovery from defaulters.