In a startling revelation, Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO) sent 24,300 detection bills to its consumers in April 2025, imposing an estimated additional burden of Rs149 million. These bills were reportedly issued without any transparent justification, sparking outrage among affected users.
The detection bills included charges for “unauthorized” consumption or assumed theft, but many recipients had no history of violations. Ironically, the bills hit low-usage customers the hardest, with some receiving charges several times higher than their usual bills. Even protected-category consumers, who are typically shielded from such billing, were included.
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) responded swiftly, demanding SEPCO provide a complete report within seven days detailing all detection bills issued over the last six months. Among those impacted was the Sukkur Chamber of Commerce, which formally challenged its bill with NEPRA, prompting a separate response deadline from the utility company.
Sources revealed that NEPRA directed SEPCO to immediately suspend the disputed bills and refrain from recovery until further notice. The regulator criticized SEPCO for violating the Consumer Service Manual, stating that bills were issued without field verification or proper documentation.
An audit conducted by NEPRA’s Sukkur regional office uncovered alarming gaps in SEPCO’s internal processes. Officials found no adequate records related to the detection bills in SEPCO’s offices. Revenue officers failed to present evidence, raising serious questions about internal oversight, data integrity, and consumer rights.