NA panel told: CASA transmission line continuously energised to prevent wire theft

ISLAMABAD: The government on Friday made some startling disclosures, revealing that the CASA (Central Asia-South Asia) transmission line is kept continuously energised to prevent theft of its wires.

The disclosure was made by Additional Secretary, Power Division, Syed Imtiaz Hussain Shah, during a meeting of a sub-committee of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Power.

The meeting presided over by Convener Babar Nawaz Khan discussed incidents of material theft in Hazara Electric Power Company (HAZECO). Members Shaikh Aftab Ahmed and Syed Waseem Hussain also attended the session.

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The discussion on theft in distribution companies (Discos) began when the convener questioned officials about the theft of transformers and their replacement. He stated that thieves dismantle transformers to extract copper wire and oil, which are sold in the market at high prices.

He further alleged that local SHOs often avoid registering FIRs due to pressure from higher authorities.

The discussion intensified when an official of Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) revealed that thieves in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have even stolen wires from 132kV transmission lines, terming the situation alarming.

Taking the floor, Additional Secretary Imtiaz Hussian Shah informed the panel that the CASA transmission line is deliberately kept energised to prevent wire theft, as de-energised lines are more vulnerable to criminal activity.

The panel directed the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hazara Electric Supply Company (HAZECO), Qazi Muhammad Tahir, to immediately provide replacement transformers in areas where theft has occurred and complete legal and procedural formalities afterward.

The convener also raised concerns regarding the utilisation of Rs 800 million disbursed to PESCO between 2018 and 2025. The concerned official failed to provide documentary evidence of the expenditure, which had previously been questioned by former Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan during a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee.

Another issue discussed was the proposed replacement of a grid station in Haripur. It was noted that the new plan envisages installing around 300 poles to supply electricity to the area, whereas previously only seven or eight poles were considered sufficient.

Additional Secretary Imtiaz Hussain Shah proposed that the matter be referred to the Power Planning & Monitoring Company (PPMC) for investigation. The company is expected to submit its inquiry report at the sub-committee’s next meeting on February 27, 2026.

The CEO of HAZECO briefed the panel that prolonged faults in its jurisdiction are rare, except for disruptions caused by heavy snowfall in January 2026. He stated that there is no shortage of maintenance material, as the company has a dedicated supply chain department to ensure prompt provision upon receipt of formal requisitions from field units.

He added that maintenance materials worth Rs 22.582 million were released on an emergency basis to address damage caused by the recent snowfall. This, he said, demonstrated the company’s effective material management, both in routine operations and emergencies.

Officials from PESCO informed the panel that emergency maintenance materials are issued strictly in accordance with standard operating procedures. They stated that supplies were provided during floods and snowfall-related outages and that no complaints have been received regarding delays due to material shortages.

The panel was further informed that HAZECO has submitted a comprehensive investment plan, covering materials and works, to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra). Upon regulatory approval, the company plans to upgrade energy infrastructure in both operational circles.

The company has already secured Nepra’s approval for a one-year tariff and is preparing a five-year tariff petition, which is expected to be submitted within the next four to five months.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026