LAHORE: The Punjab government has intensified its crackdown on electricity theft across the province. Officials stated that the operation is being carried out without discrimination, and anyone found involved in power theft will face strict action.
The operation will treat all individuals equally according to official statements because they will impose strict penalties on anyone who gets arrested for power theft.
Police authorities have taken into custody Javed Hashmi’s son-in-law because he allegedly stole electricity which amounted to several million Pakistani Rupees. The authorities confirmed that they executed legal procedures against Hashmi’s son-in-law without conducting any search of his home.
The government implements this initiative to eliminate unlicensed electricity connections which causes substantial financial damages to the national electricity grid. The provincial government has assured its residents that they will maintain their crackdown operations until they achieve complete justice against all criminals.
It is not a raid on Javed Hashmi’s home. It is the arrest of his son-in-law who has been held for electricity theft worth millions of PKR.
It may be noted that the arrest is part of a massive crackdown by the government against electricity thieves. https://t.co/ll0UGjmyMW
— Ammar Solangi (@fake_burster) January 31, 2026
PM Shehbaz announces major reduction in electricity prices for industries
On Friday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced good news for the industrial sector by announcing a reduction in the price of electricity by 4.04 rupees.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the country went through the most difficult economic conditions, but thanks to government measures and public sacrifices, Pakistan has been saved from the threat of default. Addressing a ceremony in honor of exporters and industrialists in Islamabad, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that taking loans is not easy, and during this time, the country had to face tough challenges.
The Prime Minister said that the negotiations with the IMF were at a very critical stage and the conditions for the new program were strict in the first meeting; however, Pakistan assured to fulfil its commitments. He said that keeping in mind the example of Sri Lanka, the government made it clear that Pakistan would not be responsible if the commitments were not fulfilled.
He said that friendly countries, especially China, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, provided full support to Pakistan and played an important role in completing the IMF program. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that foreign exchange reserves have almost doubled and economic indicators are improving.
The Prime Minister also appreciated the hard work of the business community and exporters and said that the country’s exports increased significantly in 2025. He said that the policy rate has been reduced from 22 percent to 10.5 percent, and the inflation rate is gradually decreasing. Shehbaz Sharif further said that the government has emphasized transparency and reforms, corruption and unnecessary expenses have been eliminated, and steps are being taken to reduce taxes.
He said that Pakistan’s economy is strengthening, and steps will continue to reduce poverty and increase investment. The Prime Minister said that there are major challenges in the country’s development journey, but with the participation of the public, the business community, and the private sector, Pakistan is making its place in the global economy.
He said that the government’s job is not to do business but to provide a conducive environment, and only the private sector can play a key role in the development of the country’s economy.
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