Islamabad:Minister for Economic Affairs and Establishment Division Ahad Cheema has announced that smart meters will be installed on transformers across all Distribution Companies (DISCOs). He made this statement while presiding over a meeting in Islamabad.
According to Radio Pakistan, the Minister highlighted that the installation of smart meters on transformers is aimed at curbing electricity theft and improving billing accuracy. This initiative is also expected to protect consumers from overbilling and safeguard the interests of consumers, investors, and the government.
The meeting reviewed the development programmes for DISCOs and discussed the Economic Affairs Division's efforts to secure funding for the installation of these smart meters. Negotiations with multilateral partners for development programmes will continue until the privatisation of DISCOs is completed. If a DISCO is privatised during ongoing negotiations or programme preparations, the financing and development programmes will be transferred to the private investor, subject to agreed arrangements.
Ahad Cheema emphasized that any new project undertaken by a private investor within a DISCO must undergo competitive bidding and receive approval from the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority as required. He stressed that the purpose of privatisation is not to impose costs or undue pressure on consumers, and assured that the government would facilitate the process while ensuring consumer protection and that investors fulfill their financial and contractual commitments.
