Daily Times

Sir: Power theft is a silent crime that seeps within a society and gradually drains its resources and the efforts of an organisation.

The theft of electricity is condemned in every country by law. However, unfortunately in Pakistan, people are oblivious to the consequences of such offence and assume they will get away with it. Despite the Ordinance passed by the present government declaring electricity theft a non-bailable offence leading to fines and imprisonment upon being found guilty, power thieves remain at loose to carry out illicit activities in every nook and corner of the city.

Electricity theft is one of the main reasons for the power crisis. The problem that is faced by many entities is that of a flawed mindset. The rationale behind such crime is the growing misconception that power thieves will not be convicted in a court of law. Secondly, the usual excuse for power theft is the growing demand for electricity and thirdly, such crimes are not uncovered. It is because of such ill practices and flawed understanding that criminals disregard the social contract and hence the legitimate consumers suffer the brunt of higher tariff and load shedding.

I believe that anti-theft campaigns are the need of the hour and campaigns such as these should be endorsed at the national level as they will have a positive impact on the energy crisis faced by our nation.

MADIHA AKHTAR

Karachi