Disco losses decline 17% to Rs262 billion in FY2025-26, NA told

Aggregate losses at the country's power distribution companies fell to Rs262 billion in FY2025-26, down from Rs276 billion in FY2023-24, according to Profit by Pakistan Today. The data was shared in the National Assembly by Energy Minister Awais Ahmad Leghari, answering a query raised by MNA Sanjay Perwani. The loss ratio across the Discos also eased to 17.2% in the latest year from 18.3% two years earlier.

Quetta Electric Supply Company (Qesco) posted the sharpest deterioration, with its loss ratio climbing to 60.2% from 38.4% a year earlier and its financial losses rising to Rs82 billion. Peshawar Electric Power Company (Pesco) ranked second on loss ratio at 40.7%, although its losses shrank to Rs85 billion from Rs97 billion in FY2023-24. In contrast, Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) and Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco) reduced their ratios to 12.2% and 8% respectively.

The government said several steps are under way to curb losses, including building new grids, upgrading grid stations and installing aerial bundled cables to deter electricity theft. Further measures cover replacing undersized conductors, defective capacitors and ageing meters. Meters with automated reading and advanced metering infrastructure are being installed, the Power Division said, alongside anti-theft drives to cut administrative losses.