ISLAMABAD: State Minister for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali said on Wednesday that the electricity connections of major defaulters had been disconnected. He said that Rs 73 billion were outstanding against Sindh and Rs 63 billion against the Azad Kashmir government. He said that WASA had to pay dues to HESCO and SEPCO and that disconnecting WASA’s power could lead to water issues. Action against the defaulters was taken without discrimination and CDA’s power was also cut off due to unpaid dues. The minister said that during the drive, ministries’ connection had also been cut and billions of rupees were recovered, adding that some cases had also been sent to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for recovery of outstanding amounts from the defaulters. “WAPDA was facing problems while recovering dues so services of law enforcement agencies were utilised,” he said and added that Rs 120 billion were outstanding against Balochistan on account of tube wells. The Senate was informed that several measures were being taken to upgrade the electricity infrastructure in Malakand Division including work orders on thirteen 11KV High Tension Feeders have been completed during the period 2013-16. Moreover, 368 Low Tension work orders amounting to Rs 219.70 Million have also been approved and issued for execution in Swat and Malakand Division.