Theft
The Pakistan government accused politicians and government departments of cheating the state out of over $1 billion as a result of their refusal to pay electricity charges. The minister for electricity presented a list of 49 members of the country’s upper house who, he claims, owe $232 000 to the state electricity company. The company is also trying to collect $1.4 billion from government departments and institutions.
Most of the politicians who are refusing to pay bills are members of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League. The country’s population minister resigned in late April after being charged with power theft. Earlier this year the government enlisted the support of the army in its efforts to clamp down on power theft, which is widespread in Pakistan.