The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has imposed fines totaling Rs. 100 million on three state-run power distribution companies — Gepco, Fesco, and Qesco — for overbilling, inflating losses, and poor recovery performance during the fiscal year 2023–24.
According to Nepra’s findings, Gujranwala Electric Power Company (Gepco) manipulated meter readings to reduce its reported transmission and distribution (T&D) losses. However, the company’s actual losses reached 11.48 percent, exceeding the regulator’s target of 9 percent. Gepco admitted to overbilling practices that affected millions of consumers and violated the Nepra Act as well as the Consumer Service Manual. The company was fined Rs. 50 million and ordered to pay within 15 days.
In addition, Gepco faces a daily penalty of Rs. 100,000 for failing to comply with Nepra’s earlier order to ensure 100 percent earthing of HT/LT structures across its network.
Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco) was fined Rs. 10 million for deliberate overbilling and hiding operational weaknesses. Nepra stated that Fesco failed to control T&D losses and manipulated consumer bills to cover inefficiencies. The regulator rejected Fesco’s claim that reduced industrial demand caused the losses, calling the explanation “unsupported and misleading.”
Quetta Electric Supply Company (Qesco) received a penalty of Rs. 40 million for ongoing inefficiency, low recoveries, and poor system performance. The company blamed non-payment of agricultural subsidies and security challenges in Balochistan for its weak results. Nepra, however, dismissed these excuses, saying Qesco had years to improve operations but failed to act despite federal assistance.
Nepra has directed all three power companies to deposit the fines within 15 days. It warned that non-payment could lead to recovery through land revenue arrears and possible legal proceedings.
The regulator emphasized that the penalties aim to ensure transparency, consumer protection, and improved service quality in Pakistan’s power sector.
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