Auditor General Report: Power Companies Overbilled Consumers by Rs. 244 Billion in 2023–24
A recent report by the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has revealed that eight electricity distribution companies (Discos) overbilled consumers by Rs. 244 billion during the 2023–24 fiscal year, raising serious concerns about transparency, inefficiency, and loss recovery in the power sector.
The distribution companies named in the report include IESCO, LESCO, HESCO, MEPCO, PESCO, QESCO, SEPCO, and TESCO, according to local media sources.
The audit found that five Discos collectively overbilled 278,649 consumers by Rs. 47.81 billion in a single month alone. Over the full year, more than 900 million excess electricity units were charged to consumers. Notably, no disciplinary actions have been taken so far against the officials responsible.
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Among the companies, QESCO was found to be the largest offender, allegedly overbilling agricultural consumers by Rs. 148 billion, mostly through inflated charges for tube wells. In addition, Rs. 22 billion was billed under “load adjustment,” reportedly used to cover up technical losses.
The report also highlighted that 1,432 feeders issued inflated bills worth Rs. 18.64 billion, while audit teams were denied access to critical records, further complicating accountability.
While some refunds were issued — including Rs. 5.29 billion for incorrect meter readings and Rs. 2.18 billion in billing adjustments by PESCO — the majority of refund claims lacked supporting documentation, raising questions about follow-up action and consumer redress.
The findings have added pressure on power sector regulators and policymakers to implement stricter oversight, promote accountability, and introduce reforms to protect consumers from systemic overbilling.
