ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday chaired a high-level review meeting on reform measures in the power sector, directing authorities to formulate a comprehensive strategy to meet future energy needs through renewable sources.
Chairing the meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office, the prime minister emphasised that increased electricity generation from hydropower, solar energy, biogas and other renewable resources would help reduce production costs and positively impact economic growth. He also called for expediting steps to reduce reliance on imported fuels, a news release said.
Shehbaz also directed that no leniency be shown towards individuals involved in electricity theft. He further ordered strict departmental action against power distribution companies found violating the Economic Merit Order in recent days. He instructed officials to accelerate the implementation of smart meter installation on transformers in areas with high electricity theft and to fast-track measures for promoting a competitive electricity market in the country. He also directed authorities to expedite work on supplying 400MW of electricity to the private sector in the first phase under the wheeling regime.
During the briefing, participants were informed that electricity theft, non-payment and other losses in distribution companies had significantly decreased due to effective measures compared to last year. It was noted that transmission and distribution losses declined from 18.3 per cent in June 2024 to 15.3 per cent in March 2026. Similarly, recovery of electricity bills improved from 90 per cent in June 2024 to 96.46 per cent in March 2026. The meeting was further informed that work was underway to involve the private sector in three distribution companies, with the bidding process expected to be completed by November this year. The officials also highlighted that smart meters had already been installed on 2,500 loss-making feeders across the country. In a related development, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow and grief over the attack in Charsadda that led to the martyrdom of former JUI MPA and renowned cleric Maulana Muhammad Idrees Tarangzai. He also expressed his condolences over the loss of lives and property after a heavy storm hit different provinces of Türkiye, including Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Adiyaman and surrounding regions.
In a related development, on the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Federal Health Ministry has set up a high-level task force to investigate reported mishandling of HIV cases in Pakistan. The prime minister has also ordered an immediate nationwide crackdown on reuse of syringes, which health experts say is a major cause of infection.
According to an official notification from the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, the task force will examine reuse of contaminated syringes, identify gaps in HIV case management, and recommend measures to strengthen Pakistan’s response to infectious diseases. Under its mandate, the task force will investigate unsafe injection practices in the spread of HIV, review gaps in case management, and recommend improvements in disease control. It has been asked to submit its report to the prime minister within seven days.
In a separate high-level health meeting, the prime minister directed strict enforcement of the ban on reusable syringes and ordered the use of auto-disable syringes nationwide. He instructed DRAP, provincial governments and law enforcement agencies to eliminate syringe reuse in both public and private healthcare settings, warning that negligence is putting thousands of lives at risk.
Officials said the government is also considering phasing out larger syringes, especially 10cc ones, by converting them into auto-disable or auto-destruct types to prevent reuse. The prime minister stressed that ensuring availability and mandatory use of auto-disable syringes is essential to prevent the spread of blood-borne diseases. He also ordered strict action against manufacturers, suppliers and healthcare providers violating the policy. He further directed that all patients visiting public hospitals be screened for hepatitis, HIV, and other infectious diseases, and asked the Health Ministry to develop a coordinated national surveillance and reporting system.
On polio, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to eradication, noting a gradual decline in virus circulation and 98 per cent coverage in the latest vaccination campaign.
