Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Federal Ombudsman Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi has summoned the Secretary Energy and Chief Executives of DISCOs in the wake of high number of complaints.
A meeting was presided by the Federal Ombudsman which was attended by Senior Officers of WMS, Secretary Power Division Rashid Mahmood Langrial, Chief Executives of IESCO, LESCO and PESCO.
More than 56,000 complaints in 2022
The meeting was informed that during the year 2022, more than 56,000 complaints were registered by the citizens against power sector companies. The meeting reviewed the performance of these companies to address deficiencies therein which are causing huge hardship to the people. Consumers are already paying high charges beyond their capacity.
The meeting noted that the Wafaqi Mohtasib Office provides speedy relief to the common man within 60 days without any cost. This reduces the burden on our civil courts and NEPRA. It was informed to the meeting that complaints involving big sums related to industrial and commercial consumers are referred to civil courts and NEPRA. Consequently, poorest sector of society has easy access to Wafaqi Mohtasib’s 17 Regional Offices, spread throughout the country.
The Chair raised the issue that in some cases, the electric supply companies have gone to high courts resulting in huge delays and hardship to poor consumers involving small amounts. These issues and systemic problems were discussed in the meeting requiring urgent action. The Ministry of Energy was advised to ensure setting up facilitation centres at major offices to help complainants.
