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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 50849, member: 636"] Pakistan's energy chief revealed stunning numbers that show the government finally beating electricity thieves across the country. Federal Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari told reporters that power sector losses crashed by 191 billion rupees during the first year of reforms. The massive savings came from cracking down on people who steal electricity and don't pay their bills. Government officials said power companies had been bleeding 591 billion rupees every year before the cleanup started. The new anti-theft campaign brought those losses down to 399 billion rupees. Leghari blamed crooked politicians for years of corrupt appointments at electricity distribution companies. The minister said his team kicked out political favorites and hired qualified people based on merit. Rangers and army units helped catch major theft rings that were stealing millions of rupees worth of electricity. Lahore Electric Supply Company alone saved 60 billion rupees by busting industrial criminals who were stealing massive amounts of power. Government recovery rates jumped from 92 percent to nearly 97 percent. The energy boss warned that powerful people are fighting back against the reform efforts. Political heavyweights are trying to get honest officials fired through fake investigations. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif backs the anti-theft officers and wants the crackdown to continue at full speed. Pakistan plans to cut annual power losses below 100 billion rupees through privatization and contract renegotiation. Solar energy connections have already added over 6,500 megawatts to the national grid. [/QUOTE]

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