Presidency, Prime Minister House, others yet to clear power bills: Iesco issues list of public sector defaulters

Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) has issued a new list of public sector defaulters according to which President House, Prime Minister House, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Chairman Senate remain in the list of those who have yet to clear their electricity bills.
This list has been prepared at a time when the federal cabinet, in its meeting on October 12, 2011, presided over by the Prime Minister, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, decided to recover outstanding amounts from ministries and departments that have outstanding bills.
After the cabinet meeting, Minister for Finance, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh announced that electricity will be disconnected of all the defaulters even if it is the Presidency, the Prime Minister's House or the Army Chief House. Managing Director, Pepco, Rasul Khan Mehsud, while giving his views on AAJ TV programme "Paisa bolta hai" stated that such an extreme step cannot be taken in Pakistan. He cited the example of Wasa, saying if Wasa's electricity is disconnected people will not get water and consequently will curse Pepco.
The government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and other public sector ministries and departments owe Rs 10.738 billion, including Rs 544 million late payment surcharge. According to the list obtained from the Ministry of Water and Power, Iesco's arrears against Defence (excluding G.E. services which are Rs 114 million, but including Rs 23 million late payment surcharge) and G.E. services (MES) Rs 562.7 million totalling it to Rs 676.6 million.
CDA and C/o CDA- CDA Rs 1.2975 billion- (LPS Rs 160 million), President Secretariat Rs 17.364 million( LPS) Rs 5.3 million, Cabinet Secretariat Rs 3.728 million-( LPS Rs 0.823 million), Chairman Senate office and residence, Rs 15.616 million-(LPS Rs 10.9 million) and Pak Secretariat, Rs 41 million(LPS Rs 8.6 million).
PWD and C/o PWD- PWD Rs 60 million(LPS Rs 9.8 million), Prime Minister Secretariat/ House Rs 20 million-( LPS Rs 8.82 million), Chief Justice of Pakistan, Rs 3.130 million-( LPS Rs 1.088), Federal Ministers offices/ residence Rs 10.74 million-(LPS 0.772 million), Parliament Lodges Rs 18 million-( LPS Rs 2.4 million), Ministry of Education Rs 10.365 million-(LPS Rs 1.035 million), Ministry of Local Government Rs 2.113 million,-( LPS Rs 0.255 million), Ministry of Culture and Sports Rs 1.988 million-(LPS Rs 0.141 million), Ministry of Railways, Rs 82.730 million, Ministry of KANA, Rs 2.860 million, Ministry of Health Rs 1.846 million, hospital under Federal Government Rs 18.899-(LPS Rs 2.094 million), Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Rs 22.141 million-(LPS Rs 2.411 million), Federal Police Rs 19 million-(LPS Rs 2.5 million), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Rs 1.706 million, AFIC Rs 24.702 million-(LPS Rs 1.584 million), Directorate General Special Education, Rs 2 million, Defence Production Division, Rs 42.529 million-(LPS Rs 3.815 million), Income Tax, Rs 1.122 million, General Manager Hydel Rs 31.623 million -(LPS Rs 2.629 million), NLC, Rs 7.198 million- (LPS Rs 0.526 million ), Punjab Police Rs 8.904 million-(LPS Rs 1.066 million), Punjab jails and convict settlement Rs 16 million-(LPS Rs 1.050 million), National Highways Authority(NHA) Rs 3.019 million, Immigration and Passport Rs 1.037 million, NAB Rs 1.575 million, PTCL Rs 2.213 million,, Punjab House, Rs 1.826 million, Balochistan Rs 1.489 million, TMA, Rawal Town, Rs 20.430 million-(LPS Rs 1.822 million) TMA Jhelum Rs 2.080 million, Cantt Board Rawalpindi Rs 133.474 million-(LPS Rs 16.7 million), Cantt Boad Chaklala Rs 277.9 million-(LPS Rs 28.297 million) and others, Rs 51. 234 million.
The biggest defaulter is AJK of Rs 7.677 billion-(LPS Rs 148 million) and AJK connections in Pakistan Rs 1.864 million. It is unclear whether Iesco will be allowed to move against these public sector defaulters in spite of tall claims made by Ministers for Finance and Water and Power.