ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President, Dr Arif Alvi, on Wednesday promulgated an ordinance to declare electricity theft a cognizable offence.
Through the Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance 2023, President Alvi amended Section 462 (O) of the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860.
According to a statement from the President’s House, the electricity distribution companies were earlier facing problems in the lodging of FIRs of electricity theft incidents.
However, under the new Ordinance, electricity theft incidents will be considered cognizable crimes.
After the Ordinance, electricity theft will be a cognizable crime on the complaint by officers of grade 17 or above, as well as the nominees of CEOs of electricity distribution companies.
President Alvi promulgated the Ordinance under Article 89-1 of the Constitution.
Ordinance to Help Curb Electricity Theft
The said Ordinance will help curb power theft in the energy sector worth around 590 billion rupees, the statement maintained.
