Power theft - a silent crime!

The word 'theft' is defined as an act of using one's exclusive property without the person's consent. In any society, regardless of the individual, the act of theft and deceit is considered an immoral one, similarly power theft as a crime is looked down upon in any country by law. Be it theft by installation of illegal connections or tampering with a meter to dodge accurate billing is still an 'invisible crime' by all definitions. Electricity theft has repercussions not only for the people who take adapt such mannerisms but also for the power utility. Power theft causes an organisation to be perceived as less reliable while lowering the standard of their services offered to its legitimate customers.
For any organisation, power theft is a debilitating evil all over the world, and a major factor of revenue loss to power utilities, which requires entities to adapt strict measures in several countries against power thieves. In Pakistan too, power theft has been a prevalent issue which adds to the worries of the people in the country.
During summer period, the electricity consumption increases in residential and commercial areas of the country. Electrical equipment, such as air conditioners and coolers are excessively used, escalating power consumption; displaying an unusual increase in electricity billing. In order to avoid inflated electricity bills, many individuals resort to illegal hook connections. It is these illegal usage of electricity that increases the load on pole mounted transformers (PMTs), causing incidents of broken electrical wires or PMT faults which trouble the citizenry in the form of prolong power suspension in the concerned area.
Stealing electricity is heinous crime but unfortunately in Pakistan, most of the people never considered it to be a punishable one. Last year, the present government passed an ordinance, declaring electricity theft as non-bailable offence leading to fines and imprisonment upon found guilty. Recognising the gravity of this issue, K-Electric, the only privately-held power utility of economic hub of our country, became a trend setter in taking action against power theft with utmost fervour; initiated anti-theft drives since 2009. Through its drive, the company has succeeded to reduce its line losses drastically from 38 percent in 2008-2009 to almost 24 percent currently, registering a remarkable decline of 14 percent. It is due to such efforts and determination, KE can boast of its achievement in exempting 60 percent of the Karachi from loadshedding.
Regardless of the exemption, still there are a handful of areas in the city which resort to illegal hook connections and show continuous reluctance in paying their dues. Due to such negligence and lack of responsibility of each individual of behaving morally lead to the few honest bill paying consumers to bear the brunt of power outage and increasing tariffs. The phenomenon 'Old habits die hard' is rife in this situation; these miscreants are persistent who would not rectify their practices unless they are condemned by law.
KE recently initiated an aggressive campaign 'Operation Burq' to take stringent action against all such offenders in providing relief to the legitimate consumers in the form of uninterrupted power supply. During the course of this operation, the company along with Federal Investigation Agency and other Law enforcement agencies has carried out raids in various areas of the city irrespective of any discrimination or status quo.
Offenders involved in such criminal activities will face severe penalties including three years imprisonment, a fine of Rs 10 million and property confiscation under Inland Revenue Act. It is appalling to note that not only residential but hospitals, renowned restaurants, water hydrants and even petrol pumps have been found involved in committing such crime. Through this operation, the team has apprehended more than 10 culprits and several FIRs have been lodged against wrongdoers.
According to information shared with the media, in the last ten days of Operation Burq, almost 40,000 illegal hook connections have been removed weighing around 19,400 KG from different areas that come under KE's jurisdiction and will continue its operations towards a complete eradication of power theft that is deemed a menace across the city. But to achieve this objective, it is important for their customers to understand the company's commitment and support the stringent measures KE has adopted over the years.
There is a dire need to change the nation's attitude towards power theft and as an organisation KE has adapted various mechanisms in molding the perception on the masses.
Power theft is no a small offence and keeping in view the prolonged loadshedding and protests across the city, KE's campaign is need of the hour as it has a positive impact on the energy crisis faced by our nation.
It is important to highlight the ills of power theft on every platform, our moral duty and the binding social contract. Power theft is a punishable offence and all means to eradicate such an ill of society should be taken.
(The views expressed in this article are not necessarily those of the newspaper)