The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has fined three state-run power distribution companies — Gepco, Fesco, and Qesco — a total of Rs. 100 million for overbilling, inflated losses, and poor recoveries during the fiscal year 2023-24.
According to Nepra’s report, Gujranwala Electric Power Company (Gepco) was found guilty of manipulating meter readings to hide rising transmission and distribution (T&D) losses, which reached 11.48% against the regulator’s target of 9%. Gepco admitted to overbilling millions of consumers and was fined Rs. 50 million, with 15 days to pay.
Additionally, Gepco faces a daily fine of Rs. 100,000 for not completing earthing of HT/LT structures as ordered earlier by Nepra.
Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco) was fined Rs. 10 million for intentional overbilling and hiding operational inefficiencies. Nepra rejected Fesco’s claim that reduced industrial demand caused higher losses, saying the company “manipulated bills to cover inefficiency.”
Meanwhile, Quetta Electric Supply Company (Qesco) was fined Rs. 40 million for persistent inefficiency, poor recoveries, and failure to control losses. Qesco blamed non-payment of agricultural subsidies and security issues in Balochistan, but Nepra dismissed these reasons as “unconvincing.”
The regulator has directed all three utilities to pay the fines within 15 days, warning that non-compliance could result in legal recovery proceedings under the arrears of land revenue laws.
