The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has imposed fines worth Rs. 100 million on three state-run electricity distribution companies for overbilling, inflated losses, and poor performance during the fiscal year 2023–24.
According to an official statement, the penalties were issued to Gujranwala Electric Power Company (Gepco), Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco), and Quetta Electric Supply Company (Qesco). Nepra found these utilities guilty of mismanagement, overbilling consumers, and failing to improve recoveries despite multiple warnings.
Fesco received a fine of Rs. 10 million for deliberately overbilling customers and concealing its operational shortcomings. The regulator also noted that Fesco failed to control transmission and distribution (T&D) losses during the financial year. Nepra dismissed the company’s claim that lower industrial demand was the cause, stating that Fesco “manipulated bills to cover up inefficiencies.”
Qesco was hit with the highest penalty of Rs. 40 million for consistent inefficiency, poor recoveries, and failure to reduce T&D losses. The company blamed its poor performance on unpaid agricultural subsidies and law-and-order challenges in Balochistan. However, Nepra rejected these explanations, calling them “unconvincing and repetitive.” The regulator said Qesco had long been aware of the difficulties in remote areas but did not take proper steps to improve operations or enhance recoveries.
Gepco was also fined for similar reasons, as the authority found irregularities in billing and a lack of progress in loss reduction.
Nepra directed all three companies to deposit the fines within 15 days. It warned that failure to pay could result in recovery through arrears of land revenue and possible legal action.
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Through this move, Nepra reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in Pakistan’s power sector, stressing that consumer interests must remain the top priority.
