Govt Launches Advanced System to Combat Power Theft and Loadshedding

LAHORE: The government is set to roll out the Asset Performance Management System (APMS) to tackle power theft and manage load shedding more effectively across Pakistan. The initiative will begin with pilot projects in Lahore and Kasur, aiming to enhance the monitoring of power consumption in real-time.

Energy Minister Awais Leghari announced the launch during a ceremony in Dera Ghazi Khan, emphasizing the need for modern technology to address the rampant issue of power theft and reduce line losses. The APMS will allow authorities to pinpoint specific transformers in high-theft areas, enabling targeted disconnections without penalizing entire feeders of paying consumers.

This new system is expected to significantly improve the efficiency of power distribution, potentially reducing the frequency of load shedding for compliant consumers. Leghari reiterated that areas reporting losses of 30 percent or more will continue to face load shedding, underscoring the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards electricity theft and chronic defaulters.

As the government prepares for the phased implementation of the APMS, stakeholders are keenly watching its impact on the energy sector and overall economic stability. Future updates on the system’s performance and expansion plans are anticipated in the coming months.