Islamabad: (RightNow) The National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee reveals that electricity companies have overcharged consumers with thousands of excess units. Consumers who do not file complaints do not receive refunds.

Audit officials briefed the committee, stating that consumers who do not claim overbilling refunds do not receive them. The meeting was chaired by Shahida Akhtar.

Senator Afnan Ullah mentioned that people sold jewelry to pay bills. He questioned if industrial consumers received refunds. The CEO of LESCO confirmed that industrial consumers were included.

Hussain Tariq stated that some consumers were charged 41 thousand units in a single day. Shazia Marri criticized the report for highlighting the incompetence of electricity companies and said labeling consumers as thieves is wrong.

It is noteworthy that a plan to install smart meters is under consideration. The Energy Secretary mentioned a plan to install 16 million smart meters to prevent unit wastage.