PESHAWAR: A focal person of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly member Fazal Elahi allegedly stormed the Rehman Baba Grid Station in Peshawar and forcibly switched on several electricity feeders, according to a statement issued by the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO).
According to the PESCO spokesperson, the incident occurred on the instructions of MPA Fazal Elahi. The spokesperson alleged that the MPA’s focal person entered the grid station and pressured PESCO staff to restore electricity supply to several feeders.
The feeders that were reportedly switched on included Yaka Toot, Chana Daq, Sorezai Bala, Qalandar Baba and Akhunabad. In addition, the Jameel Chowk, Chairman Office and Shalwazan feeders were also allegedly restored without authorization.
PESCO further alleged that the focal person behaved improperly with one of its employees during the incident. The power company said that its staff faced pressure while the feeders were being switched on.
The incident has raised concerns within PESCO regarding electricity distribution, particularly in areas where feeders have high levels of power losses. The company maintains that electricity supply to such feeders is subject to load management because of widespread electricity theft and outstanding bills.
According to the PESCO spokesperson, approximately 80 percent of the feeders connected to the Rehman Baba Grid Station are classified as high-loss feeders. The company said these feeders require load management because of electricity theft and non-payment of electricity bills.
PESCO officials warned that restoring electricity supply to high-loss feeders without addressing the underlying problems could increase the company’s financial losses. The power utility said that such feeders are managed according to established procedures because of the high level of losses associated with them.
The spokesperson also alleged that protesters present during the incident intimidated and threatened PESCO personnel. According to the company, the pressure placed on employees created difficulties in carrying out their official responsibilities.
The power utility expressed concern that forcibly restoring electricity to high-loss feeders could further increase losses for the company. PESCO argued that electricity supply decisions need to take into account the recovery of bills, power theft and technical losses in individual areas.
The incident highlights the continuing challenges faced by power distribution companies in Pakistan, where electricity theft, unpaid bills and line losses remain major issues. Distribution companies frequently use load management in areas where recovery rates are low and losses are high.
High-loss feeders are generally considered a major financial challenge for electricity distribution companies. When a large proportion of electricity supplied through a feeder is not recovered through billing, the distribution company faces significant financial losses.
PESCO’s position is that load management is necessary in such areas to control losses and maintain the overall stability of the electricity distribution system. However, interruptions in power supply often lead to public frustration, particularly among residents and businesses that depend on uninterrupted electricity.
The latest incident also reflects the tension that can emerge between elected representatives, local communities and power distribution authorities over electricity supply. Political representatives frequently face pressure from constituents to restore electricity in areas experiencing prolonged outages.
At the same time, electricity companies maintain that unauthorized intervention in the operation of grid stations can create operational and safety concerns. Grid stations are critical components of the power distribution network, and their equipment and feeders are normally operated by trained personnel according to technical requirements.
PESCO has not indicated in the available statement whether any formal legal action has been initiated over the alleged incident. It also remains unclear whether the MPA or his focal person has issued a detailed response to the allegations made by the power company.
The dispute comes amid broader concerns about electricity shortages, power theft and the financial condition of Pakistan’s power distribution sector. Electricity consumers across the country have repeatedly demanded reliable power supplies, while distribution companies have emphasized the need for improved bill recovery and measures against electricity theft.
PESCO’s allegation that 80 percent of the feeders at the Rehman Baba Grid Station are high-loss feeders underlines the scale of the challenge in the affected areas. The company has warned that restoring power without addressing losses could worsen its financial position.
According to the PESCO spokesperson, electricity theft and non-payment of bills are the primary reasons for imposing load management on the affected feeders. The company therefore considers controlled power supply necessary in areas where losses remain high.
The allegations concerning the behavior of the MPA’s focal person toward PESCO staff have also added a political dimension to the dispute. The power company has emphasized that its employees should be allowed to perform their duties without intimidation or pressure.
The incident is likely to attract further attention because it involves an elected provincial assembly member and a government-owned electricity distribution company. Any further developments will depend on the responses of the concerned political representatives and the power utility.
For residents of the affected areas, however, the central issue remains the availability of electricity. While consumers demand uninterrupted supply, PESCO argues that electricity theft and unpaid bills make it difficult to provide continuous service to high-loss areas.
The dispute demonstrates the complex balance between public demand for electricity and the financial and technical challenges faced by distribution companies. Sustainable improvement in power supply requires not only additional electricity generation but also better bill recovery, stronger action against electricity theft and improved management of distribution networks.
PESCO has reiterated that restoring power to high-loss feeders without resolving the reasons behind the losses could increase financial damage to the company. The power utility therefore appears to be maintaining its position that electricity supply should be managed according to established operational and financial criteria.
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