Quetta: The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Anti-Corruption Circle has intensified its crackdown on electricity theft and financial irregularities in Quetta, unveiling significant findings from operations carried out between March 2024 and March 2026. According to FIA officials, the large-scale campaign is part of ongoing efforts to curb power theft, recover losses, and expose systemic corruption within the electricity distribution system.
During the two-year period, FIA teams inspected 17,560 suspected points, out of which 1,193 cases of electricity theft were formally detected. Officials reported that the agency initiated 853 inquiries against individuals involved in the illegal activities and subsequently lodged 324 FIRs to ensure legal proceedings. The operations also uncovered financial irregularities worth Rs172.98 million, highlighting the severity of the issue in the provincial capital.
The FIA further revealed that through legal and administrative actions, authorities successfully ensured a significant recovery of Rs825.56 million, demonstrating the effectiveness of the campaign. In addition, the agency confiscated 620 tampered meters, 15 illegal transformers, and nearly 1,300 meters connected through the illegal kunda system, which had been contributing to major power losses.
In a major development, FIA officials confirmed that several officers of the Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) were also found involved in corrupt practices. At least 14 officers were implicated in deliberate overbilling, which resulted in consumers being charged for over 820,000 excess units. The agency has so far registered 13 FIRs against the accused QESCO officials, marking a significant step toward accountability within the utility provider.
The FIA stated that its crackdown against electricity theft, meter tampering, and financial misconduct will continue across the province. Officials emphasized that the ongoing campaign aims not only to reduce revenue losses but also to restore public trust in the power distribution system.
