CASA power transmission line kept energised to prevent wire theft, NA panel told

The Additional Secretary of the Power Division informed during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Power’s sub-committee, chaired by its convener, that the Central Asia-South Asia (CASA) power transmission line is deliberately kept energised to deter theft of transmission wires. The session reviewed incidents of material theft in Hazara Electric Power Company (HAZECO), with members also in attendance.

The issue of theft in distribution companies was raised when the convener questioned officials about transformer theft and replacements. He said that transformers are dismantled by thieves to extract copper wire and oil for resale, and alleged that in some cases local police avoid registering FIRs.

An official from Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) told the panel that wires from 132kV transmission lines had also been stolen in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, describing the situation as serious.

Officials explained that keeping the CASA transmission line energised reduces the risk of wire theft, as idle lines are more vulnerable to criminal activity.

The panel directed the HAZECO chief executive to immediately replace stolen transformers in affected areas and complete legal formalities afterward.

Members also questioned the utilisation of Rs800 million released to PESCO between 2018 and 2025. Officials were unable to present documentary evidence of the expenditure, which had previously been raised at the Public Accounts Committee.