A joint operation to combat electricity theft was launched in Harnai on Tuesday, with several illegal connections being severed during the drive.
The operation was carried out by the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) staff under the supervision of SDO Harnai, Attaullah Bangulzai, in collaboration with district police officials.
Officials said the crackdown was part of broader efforts to address power pilferage in the region, which poses a significant burden on the local electricity supply system.
Harnai, a district in Balochistan, faces significant challenges in its electricity distribution system, with power theft being a long-standing issue. The illegal abstraction of electricity, often through unregistered “kunda” connections, has strained the local power infrastructure, causing frequent outages and financial losses to distribution companies like WAPDA.
The socio-economic dynamics of Harnai, coupled with limited oversight in remote areas, have made the district particularly vulnerable to power pilferage. Many residents rely on illegal connections due to the lack of regularized electricity supply or inability to afford high utility costs.