Islamabad: The Power Division has issued a directive to take stringent measures against the illegal takeovers of grid stations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, emphasizing the need for immediate and decisive action to curb these activities. This decision comes in response to recent incidents where local political figures were involved in the unauthorized occupation of power facilities.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Power Division has communicated its concerns to the Chairman of the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO), instructing that incidents such as these should be met with severe legal actions. The directive outlined that First Information Reports (FIRs) should be filed against the perpetrators without any hesitation. If the local police show reluctance in registering these FIRs, the case should be escalated to the sessions judge, and if necessary, further to the Peshawar High Court to seek justice through legal avenues.

The communication also highlighted a specific recent incident in Malakand District involving a Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) and a Tehsil Nazim, who took over a grid station last Monday. The Power Division has asked PESCO to treat this case as a test example to establish a precedent for future incidents.

Furthermore, the Power Division has suggested that if necessary, the deployment of the Frontier Corps (FC) should be considered to protect the inner perimeters of grid stations and other PESCO assets. This measure is to ensure the safety and security of critical infrastructure, which is vital for the uninterrupted supply of electricity to the region.

Additionally, the Power Division has requested PESCO to appoint a senior officer from its public relations wing to actively publicize all incidents of power theft. The strategy includes naming and shaming the culprits involved by circulating their videos and pictures on social and print media platforms, to deter future violations and uphold the integrity of the power supply system in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.