Islamabad, President Dr. Arif Alvi has promulgated an ordinance today, making the theft of electricity a cognizable offense, marking a significant step in the government’s efforts to address power theft issues.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance 2023 amends Section 462 (O) of the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860. This legislative change comes as a response to the challenges faced by electricity distribution companies in registering First Information Reports (FIRs) for incidents of power theft.
The ordinance is expected to play a crucial role in curbing power theft within the country’s energy sector, which is estimated to be around Rs 590 billion. The enactment of this ordinance signifies the government’s commitment to tackling the prevalent issue of electricity theft, which has been a long-standing problem affecting the energy sector’s efficiency and economic stability.