Punjab govt to set up task force to deal with power theft

Lahore: The Punjab government has decided to establish a task force to deal with electricity theft, while a principled decision has also been taken to amend laws to prevent and recover electricity theft.

A special meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz, in which senior provincial minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari, Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Sania Ashiq, former senator Pervaiz Rasheed, Chief Secretary, Inspector General Punjab (IG), Chairman P&D and other officials participated.

In the meeting, issues related to electricity theft were reviewed, while the desk authorities presented a detailed report on electricity theft in all districts including Lahore.

In the light of the report, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz decided to establish a task force to deal with electricity theft at the district level, which will include representatives of the police, magistrate, intelligence, recovery, D-office, prosecution and law department.

It was decided in the meeting that more than 600 special police forces teams will also participate in the anti-electricity theft campaign, it was also decided in principle to amend the laws to prevent and recover electricity theft.

Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz directed for strong and effective prosecution in electricity theft cases.

On the other hand, she has given a deadline of three months to complete the development works. The chief minister will review the development works every 10 days.

Another special meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Punjab which decided that all the small and big roads of Lahore will be constructed and repaired.

The project of paving the streets and installing tuff tiles was presented, which was approved by the Chief Minister of Punjab.

A principled decision was made to restore 222,000 street lights in Lahore, while the restoration, construction and repair of drainage and sewerage in nine zones of Lahore was reviewed.

Sewer master plan and water tank construction project were considered after which a comprehensive plan was called for.

By directing Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) to inform about the requirements of machinery and manpower, it was decided in principle to gradually include all areas of Lahore in WASA services area.

It was ordered to make all water filtration plants of Lahore functional. A detailed briefing was given on construction and development of Lahore, WASA, sanitation and other issues.

Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz said that she wants to see every street clean. People should also support the government in the cleanliness drive.