MARDAN: Federal secretary for power division Rashid Mehmood Lungriyal on Wednesday declared Mardan as ‘loadshedding-free city’.

He made the announcement during a ceremony held here.

Chief secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, additional secretary power Arshad Majeed Mehmand, IGP Akhtar Hayat, Mardan division commissioner Shaukat Ali Yousafzai, DIG Suleman Khan, Peshawar Electric Supply Company chief Qazi Tahir, deputy commissioners of Mardan and Swabi, representatives of traders’ community and elders were also in attendance.

On the occasion, Mr Langriyal lauded efforts of Pesco officials, police and district administration for their successful drive against electricity theft in the district. He also appreciated the residents for fully cooperating with the relevant officials during the drive. He added the successful operation against power theft set a precedent to be followed by other districts.

“We will also make other districts as loadshedding-free by taking effective steps against electricity theft,” he claimed, adding the circular debt would not only be reduced but the countrymen would also get cheap electricity.

Chief secretary Nadeem Chaudhry said it was a big challenge for them to end electricity theft and ‘kunda’ culture in the region, but the government institutions jointly did the job.

He thanked the federal government and secretary power for declaring Mardan as ‘loadshedding-free model city’.

Pesco chief Qazi Tahir said the drive against electricity theft led by Mardan division commissioner Shaukat Yousafzai had yielded very positive results.

He claimed 48 teams were constituted to carry out raids for ending the electricity theft. He said 43 per cent losses had been reduced to 12 per cent. He claimed over 100 per cent recovery was also made in the electricity arrears.

Earlier, in a briefing to the federal secretary for power division, assistant commissioner, Mardan, Ayesha Tahir said a record Rs450 million dues were recovered from defaulters within one month.

Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2023