ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed government's resolve to stop power theft, reduce line losses and improve power distribution system across county. He informed that recently government had appointed new board chairmen and members in five power distribution companies (DISCOs) through transparent process.

He hoped that these appointments would further improve performance of DISCOs. Presiding over meeting held here to review matters of Power ministry, he directed Power Minister and Secretary Power Division to coordinate with provinces concerning halting electricity theft, performance of DISCOs and other matters of sector. "Whole of government approach should be adopted to resist power theft across country," he said. He directed provincial governments to maintain number of police force and tehsildars as per DISCOs' needs. 

He ordered concerned authorities to deal with corrupt elements in power distribution companies with an iron hand and take strict action against them. He directed DISCOs to make kutchehri system more effective and result-oriented for public complaints. He said that steering committee formed to shift agriculture tube wells to solar energy in Balochistan should convene immediately.Meeting was informed that Standard Operating Procedures regarding transfer of agricultural tube wells in Balochistan to solar energy had been notified to Steering Committee.  Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Power Awais Khan Leghari and officers of relevant ministries and divisions attended.