In partnership with
Profit
POWER DIVISION TAKES ON CORRUPT OFFICIALS TO PREVENT ELECTRICITY THEFT Sunday, 10 September, 2023 I 13 Safar, 1445
P
PROFIT
AHMAD AHMADANI
OWER Division has launched a comprehensive operation to root out the corrupt officers of power distribution companies (DISCOs) who allegedly aided and abetted power theft. According to sources in power division, a major operation was launched against the corrupt officers who were allegedly involved in power theft. They said that a total of 1914 officers faced the crackdown during the operation, and strict legal action has been taken against them. They said during the operation, a departmental inquiry was started against 351 officers of LESCO, 138 of GEPCO, 195 of FESCO, 219 of ISCO, 314 of MAPCO, 299 of PESCO, 112 of HESCO, 86 of SEPCO, 165 of QESCO, and 35 officers of TESCO. Similarly, during the operation, 248 disreputable and ill-reputed officers were transferred to different areas without any recommendation, said sources. They added that a series of crackdowns against those responsible for power theft continues, and it has also been announced to tighten the legal proceedings against all corrupt officials. It is also learned from sources that more than 2199 cases of electricity theft by various distribution companies have been reported, out of which FIR has been registered against 1955 and 21 arrests have so far been made. Distribution companies (DISCOs) have been fined for stealing four million units and they were fined for 164 million Pakistani rupees, of which 11 million Pak rupees have been recovered, said sources, adding, that prevention of power theft is very important to provide relief to the public while operations and crackdowns will continue to bring all the responsible to justice as
soon as possible. Secretary of the Power Division, Rashid Langrial, disclosed that a total of over 1,900 officers have been reassigned as part of efforts to disrupt collusion associated with power theft nationwide. In a statement posted on X, he stated that a crackdown has been launched against the corrupt officers of distribution companies to prevent the electricity theft. He said that it is the beginning and it will become much more relentless and unforgiving. He said 2000 plus cases of electricity theft worth four million units detected: 21 arrested, PKR 164 million imposed as fine and 11 million recovered. He said 248 officers with bad repute have been relocated to the headquarters. Additionally, a reassignment of 1,914 SEs, XENs, and SDOs across the country has been carried out without any “safarish”. Providing specific details, he said a total of 1,914 officers underwent reassignments, encompassing 91 SEs, 533 XENs, and 1,290 SDOs. Simultaneously, 248 officers with unfavorable records were relocated to less significant roles across all 10 discos. He noted that a comprehensive reshuffling affected a total of 351 officers within LESCO. Additionally, 17 officers were assigned to less critical positions. Within LESCO, 24 SEs, 89 XENs, and 238 SDOs were subject to reassignments. In the case of GEPCO, a total of 138 officers underwent reshuffling, which includes 8 SEs, 42 XENs, and 88 SDOs. Additionally, 13 officers with a questionable reputation were placed in less critical roles. Likewise, within FESCO, a total of 195 officers were relocated, comprising 13 SEs, 53 XENs, and 130 SDOs. Additionally, 14 officers with questionable records were reassigned to less significant positions. In IESCO, a comprehensive reshuffle affected a total of 219 officers, en-
Demarche issued to Afghanistan over Chitral attack: FM Jilani ISLAMABAD
compassing 10 SEs, 61 XENs, and 148 SDOs. Additionally, 21 officers with unfavorable reputations were reassigned to less significant positions. In MEPCO, a significant reshuffling saw 314 officers relocated, comprising 13 SEs, 85 XENs, and 216 SDOs. Additionally, 34 officers with unfavorable reputations were reassigned to less critical positions. Within PESCO, a total of 299 officers underwent transfers, involving 8 SEs, 93 XENs, and 198 SDOs. Furthermore, 68 officers with questionable records were posted to less significant roles. At HESCO, 112 officers experienced transfers, involving 2 SEs, 20 XENs, and 90 SDOs. Additionally, 19
Rs 15.00 | Vol XIV No 71 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
officers with unfavorable reputations were reassigned to less critical roles. Within SEPCO, a total of 86 officers were relocated, encompassing 6 SEs, 29 XENs, and 51 SDOs. Furthermore, 25 officers with questionable records were posted to less significant positions. Within QESCO, a comprehensive reshuffle impacted 165 officers, which included 7 SEs, 50 XENs, and 108 SDOs. Additionally, 29 officers with unfavorable reputations were reassigned to less critical roles. In TESCO, 35 officers underwent transfers, consisting of 12 XENs and 23 SDOs. Furthermore, 8 officers with questionable records were posted to less significant positions.
FBR to launch countrywide crackdown on tax evasion LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to launch countrywide crackdown against tax evasion, sources said on Saturday. The taxation authority has prepared a list of 11,000 persons from major cities including Lahore and Karachi, sources said. The list included industrialists, mill owners, traders, property dealers and wholesalers, according to sources. The grip will be tightened against tax defaulters, and they will also be arrested, sources said. The FBR’s list of tax evaders included people from Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and Multan. “We have substantial evidence against tax defaulters,” FBR sources said. “They have to produce documents within one week’s period after tax notice,” FBR sources added.
A global market research firm in a survey report in June disclosed staggering 956 billion rupees tax evasion in Pakistan. Ipsos, the third largest market research firm in the world, made the sensational disclosure after its survey of five industrial sectors including real estate, tea, cigarette, tyres, oil and pharmaceutical sectors. The research report pointed out massive 500 billion rupees tax evasion in a year in the real estate sector of the economy. Tax theft by cigarette traders is causing Pakistan a loss of Rs240 billion annually. The research report pointed out annually 45 billion tax evasion in tea business and 65 billion tax theft in pharmaceutical sector of the national economy. Moreover, tyres and oil sector inflicting 106 billion rupees revenue losses to the economy annually, according to the report.
WB to disburse $2b to Pakistan during current fiscal year 2023-24: Country Head ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Interim Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani on Saturday confirmed that a demarche was issued to the Afghan charge d’affaires in the wake of the terrorist attack on two military posts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lower Chitral district. On Wednesday, at least four security men embraced martyrdom while more than 16 fighters were killed as militants’ attempts to enter Pakistan from Afghanistan were foiled by troops deployed along the border with Afghanistan. Militants had attacked two security checkposts in the southern part of the district. Responding to a question in an Islamabad press conference today about whether the matter was taken up with the interim Afghan government, the foreign minister said: “Pakistan registered a strong protest over the incident, summoned the Afghan Cd’A in Islamabad yesterday and handed over a protest note (demarche) to him.” FM Jilani said the Chitral incident was “very unfortunate” and said Pakistan was taking the recent rise in terrorism very seriously. “It is the responsibility of the Afghan government that if attacks are occurring in Pakistan from their soil then it should stop them. So our expectation from the Afghan government is that it suppresses all such elements, whether it is the TTP (Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan) or others.” He said Pakistan was in continued engagement with Afghan authorities. “It will be our demand from the Afghan government that it ensures that such incidents don’t occur again,” Jilani added. Similarly, caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti said it was the expectation of Pakistan and the world from the Afghan Taliban authorities that they would honour the Doha agreement and not allow Afghanistan’s soil to be used for schemes against other countries.
STAFF REPORT
World Bank has indicated to disburse US$2.0 billion amount to Pakistan during the current financial year 2023-24. According to details, Country Director of World Bank Najy Binhassine called on Caretaker Minister for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, and Privatization Dr Shamshad Akhtar and reviewed the overall performance of the World Bank ongoing portfolio in Pakistan. They discussed different options to further expand collaboration in different priority areas to help boost the economic activities in the country. Dr Shamshad Akhtar, while welcoming the World Bank team, reiterated that Pakistan values its development partnership with World Bank. She appreciated the efforts of the World Bank management, especially the country team in Islamabad in the economic development of Pakistan. WB Country Director Najy Binhassine, while briefing the Finance Minister on ongoing portfolio, indicated that the World Bank Management, in collaboration with Ministry of Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs and
Privatization, is making efforts to not only improve the implementation performance of the ongoing portfolio but also to maximize the volume of disbursement of foreign resources. He indicated that the joint efforts are targeting disbursements of around US$2.0 billion during the current financial year, i.e., 2023-24. On the occasion, the Finance Minister shared the reform agenda of the government and the ongoing efforts to stabilize the economy. She also informed that the Government of Pakistan is cognizant of the fact that implementation of reforms in the priority sectors, particularly in the energy sector, will allow Pakistan to unleash the growth potential,
therefore introducing Policy Reforms in this sector will remain the prime focus of the Government of Pakistan. The Country Director briefed the Finance Minister on the progress under the RISE-II Development Policy Financing Program, which has recently been negotiated by the World Bank with EAD. The Finance Minister commended the immediate support of the World Bank during the 2022Floods. However, considering the enormous post flood rehabilitation and reconstruction needs of the country, the Finance Minister asked the Country Director for extending further World Bank support to better cope with the emergency needs of the country.
Amid ‘across board accountability’ rumours, Zardari arrives in Karachi, Nawaz to land back next month ISLAMABAD
MIAN ABRAR
Amid rumours of ‘across the board accountability’ in the country, former president and co-chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari on Friday reached Karachi after concluding Dubai visit. Asif Zardari reached Karachi from Dubai through a private plane. He was in Dubai for the past few days where he underwent medical check-up, along with some high-profile political meetings. According to sources, PPP leader Dr Asim Hussain also returned to Karachi from Dubai along with Asif Zardari. Meanwhile, the PML-N sources claim that former premier and PML-N leader is also returning to Pakistan next month after spending four years in exile as the country grapples with economic turmoil and political uncertainty with the date for fresh general elections yet to be decided. It was Nawaz himself who ended months of speculations after he confirmed his return plans during a meeting with party leaders and workers in London, albeit without revealing the exact date. Sharif had reached London on November 19, 2019 as he fell critically ill in prison. However, later this ailment proved false as Sharif did not consult any hospital nor he underwent complete checkup. His return, however, is considered critical to the chances of PML-N winning the upcoming elections as the party dented its own chances — thanks to skyrocketing price hike during the 16-month stint of the Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition government. Earlier, it was reported that the PML-N had decided to employ an aggressive strategy in the next general elections, as party sources said the responsibility “to carry out attack” against his adversaries had been mainly assigned to Maryam Nawaz – the PML-N vice-president known for her hardline stance and considered the ultimate crowd puller after her father who will also be following this approach. Under this strategy, the PML-N election campaign will evolve around exposing the conspiracies hatched and vendetta faced by the party leaders and targeting some important personalities while sharing secret audio recordings and other documentary evidences. The purpose of this is to explain the factors behind the conspiracies against the elder Sharif and her daughter who doesn’t mince words while explaining her point of view – the factor differentiating their politics with that of Shehbaz who believes in a conciliatory approach. On the other hand, Shehbaz and his son Hamza Shehbaz – who enjoyed a brief stint as the Punjab chief minister – will focus to handle the ties with the establishment and share the development work carried out by the party during its government tenures, the sources said. Meanwhile, a comprehensive campaign would be launched on mainstream and social media before and after the return of elder Sharif who is now scheduled to fly back home in October. As far as the cooperation with other political parties is concerned, any decision about alliance or seat adjustment would be made by the elder Sharif.
Toll from Morocco’s deadliest earthquake in decades rises to 1,037 MARRAKECH, MOROCCO AGENCIES
The death toll from Morocco’s deadliest earthquake in decades has risen to 1,037, it was reported on Saturday, causing widespread damage and sending terrified residents and tourists scrambling to safety in the middle of the night. The state television further quoted the interior ministry as saying that more than 1,200 people were injured in the quake in Morocco’s High Atlas mountains late on Friday night. The 6.8-magnitude quake struck the mountainous area 72 kilometres (45 miles) southwest of tourist hotspot Marrakesh at 11:11pm (10:11pm GMT) on Friday, the US Geological Survey reported. Strong tremors were also felt in the coastal cities of Rabat, Casablanca and Essaouira. “We felt a very violent tremor, and I realised it was an earthquake,” Abdelhak El Amrani, a 33-year-old in Marrakesh, told AFP by telephone.
“I could see buildings moving. We don’t necessarily have the reflexes for this type of situation. Then I went outside and there were a lot of people there. People were all in shock and panic. The children were crying and the parents were distraught.“ “The power went out for 10 minutes, and so did the (telephone) network, but then it came back on,” he added. “Everyone decided to stay outside.” ‘UNBEARABLE’ SCREAMS Faisal Baddour, an engineer, said he felt the earthquake three times in his building. “People went out into the street just after this total panic, and there are families who are still sleeping outside because we were so scared of the force of this earthquake,” he said. “It was as if a train was passing close to our houses.” Frenchman Michael Bizet, 43, who owns three traditional riad houses in Marrakesh’s old town, told AFP that he had been in bed at the time of the quake. “I thought my bed was going to fly away. I went out into the street half-naked and im-
mediately went to see my riads. It was total chaos, a real catastrophe, madness,” he said. The 43-year-old shared video of piles of rubble from collapsed walls in the streets. Footage on social media also showed part of a minaret collapsed on Jemaa el-Fna square in the historic city. An AFP correspondent saw hundreds of people flocking to the square to spend the night for fear of aftershocks, some with blankets while others slept on the ground. Houda Outassaf, a local resident, told AFP he was walking around the square when the ground began to shake. “It was a truly staggering sensation. We’re safe and sound, but I’m still in shock,” he said. “I have at least 10 members of my family who died… I can hardly believe it, as I was with them no more than two days ago.” Fayssal Badour, another Marrakesh resident, told AFP he was driving when the earthquake hit. “I stopped and realised what a disaster it was… The screaming and crying was unbearable,” he said. The interior ministry said authorities
have “mobilised all the necessary resources to intervene and help the affected areas”. The regional blood transfusion centre in Marrakesh has called on residents to donate blood for those injured.
In the town of Al-Haouz, near the epicentre of the quake, a family was trapped in the rubble after their house collapsed, local media reported.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 02