Audit Reveals Rs244B Overbilling by 8 Discos

Islamabad, July 22, 2025, 08:14 PM PKT — A shocking audit has exposed rampant overbilling and financial fraud, with eight power distribution companies (Discos)—Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco), Lahore (Lesco), Hyderabad (Hesco), Multan (Mepco), Peshawar (Pesco), Quetta (Qesco), Sukkur (Sepco), and Tribal Areas Electric Supply Company (Tesco)—misappropriating Rs244 billion from consumers, as reported by Geo News, citing the Auditor General of Pakistan’s latest report. The fraud masked inefficiencies, line losses, and electricity theft, with five companies overcharging 278,649 consumers by Rs47.81 billion in one month, and over 900 million extra units billed in FY 2023–24, yet no officials face action.

Claims of refunds totaling billions lack evidence, prompting audit demands for records, while Rs22 billion in overbilling was disguised as “load adjustments” for technical losses. Qesco emerges as the worst culprit, overbilling agricultural consumers by Rs148 billion via inflated tube well bills to hide poor performance. 1,432 feeders raked in Rs18.64 billion in inflated bills, with records withheld despite audit requests. Partial refunds—Rs5.29 billion for meter errors and Rs2.18 billion in Pesco credits—offer little relief, as explanations are demanded from all Discos. Web context confirms persistent billing issues, while posts found on X reflect outrage—some demand accountability, others question government oversight. Critically, the narrative of “consumer protection” may mask systemic corruption—web data reveals ongoing fraud, and X sentiment suggests distrust in enforcement, pointing to deep-rooted challenges.