Islamabad: The federal government has announced a landmark decision to phase out existing three-phase electricity meters across Pakistan and replace them with Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) smart meters by December 2026.
According to the Ministry of Energy, the move aims to curb electricity theft, eliminate overbilling, and ensure transparency in electricity consumption. In the first phase, 350,000 smart meters will be installed by Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) under a formal meter replacement order.
Officials highlighted that the smart meters will enable real-time monitoring of electricity usage, reduce line losses, and provide accurate billing to consumers. These meters will also play a crucial role in identifying theft hotspots and enhancing overall efficiency in the power distribution network.
The transition to AMI meters is part of the government’s broader energy reforms designed to modernize Pakistan’s power sector and reduce financial losses caused by theft and faulty billing systems. However, the large-scale deployment of smart meters will require billions of rupees in investment, placing a significant financial burden on distribution companies like LESCO.
Despite the challenges, energy experts believe that this initiative will bring long-term benefits, improving transparency, consumer trust, and financial sustainability in the power sector.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only.
Keywords:
- Pakistan energy reforms
- AMI smart meters
- electricity theft
- power sector modernization
- LESCO meter replacement
- electricity billing
- Pakistan government energy plan.
