ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) has decided to take action against government departments that have defaulted on bills to the tune of billions of rupees.

In light of the directives passed by government and the energy ministry, Iesco has decided to take action against defaulters and a list of government and semi-government institutions had been compiled. As per details, federal and provincial governments, Azad Kashmir as well as semi-government institutions had defaulted and owe a combined amount of Rs71.519 billion.

The AJK government has to pay Rs60.706 billion in power bills to Iesco while the federal government institutions owe Rs10.276 billion. Similarly, the provincial government institutions have to pay Rs538 million.

Institutions situated in Iesco Islamabad circle have arrears amounting to Rs7.948 billion, those that fall underRawalpindicitycircle,Rs1.372billion;Rawalpindi Cantt circle, Rs35.222 billion; Chakwal circle, Rs39 million; Attock circle, Rs8 million and departments in Jhelum circle are defaulters of Rs27.218 billion.

Meanwhile, Iesco has stated that Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) was not a defaulter as it had deposited the August bill which amounted to Rs124.88 million in the Bank of Punjab (BOP) G.T. Road, Taxila, on September 11.

Meanwhile, Iesco spokesperson Asim Nazir Raja saidin the light of directives given by interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and Minister for Energy Mohammad Ali, the field formations conducted raids in all six operation circles of Iesco Islamabad, Rawalpindi city, Rawalpindi Cantt, Attock, Jhelum and Chakwalagainst electricity thieves.

He said during raids 47 consumers were found involved in stealing 48,479 units and were imposed a fine of Rs2.3 million, adding that during operation against power thieves, police were extending complete support to all field formations which had made the raids successful.

`Application for registration of FIRs against apprehended power thieves have been submitted with police stations,` he added. The spokesperson said Iesco Chief Executive Officer Dr Mohammad Amjad Khan was personally monitoring all anti-power theft campaigns and field officers and staff were giving their best to eliminate practices that were a hindrance to Pakistan`s development.

He said it was a national campaign and the public should help Iesco by identifying persons involved in power theft.-Ikram Junaidi