Javed Hashmi, Sons-in-Law Booked in Multan Power Theft Cases
Multan police have registered four separate cases against veteran politician Javed Hashmi and his three sons-in-law over allegations of electricity theft, according to a report published late Sunday. The cases were lodged at Makhdoom Rasheed Police Station after complaints submitted by an official of the Multan Electric Power Company Limited.
The first information reports name Hashmi and his sons-in-law, Shahid Bahar, Zahid and Shahzeb. Each case relates to an electricity connection registered in the name of one of the accused, with investigators alleging that the meters had been manipulated to reduce the amount of power consumption officially recorded.
According to the FIRs, a Mepco inspection team visited the relevant properties and claimed that electricity was being obtained by placing a loop inside the terminal of each company-issued meter. The meters were subsequently removed and taken into the power company’s custody for examination and use as potential evidence in the investigations.
The cases were registered under Section 462J of the Pakistan Penal Code, which addresses interference with, improper use of or tampering with an electricity meter by a domestic consumer. Police action followed written complaints from Mepco Sub-Divisional Officer Mohammad Bilal, while the allegations contained in the FIRs have not yet been tested before a court.
Mepco estimated that the alleged irregularity involving Hashmi’s connection caused a loss of Rs249,100. The company separately calculated claimed losses of Rs248,400 in the case involving Shahid Bahar, Rs245,600 for Zahid’s meter and Rs247,600 in relation to the connection registered to Shahzeb.
Hashmi’s grandson, Qasim, confirmed that no member of the family had been arrested by the time the report was filed. Hashmi also acknowledged the registration of the cases in a post on X, describing the claims as allegations and declaring that he was present at his residence and prepared to face arrest without hiding or fleeing. His statement is available at https://x.com/JavedHashmiJH/status/2078502234145411437.
The politician’s public response has shifted attention from a routine utility-enforcement matter to a politically sensitive case involving a prominent national figure. However, the filing of an FIR represents the beginning of a criminal investigation rather than proof of wrongdoing, and each accused person retains the right to challenge the evidence and present a defence through the legal process.
Electricity theft remains a major governance and financial challenge for Pakistan’s power sector, where distribution companies regularly conduct inspections aimed at identifying meter tampering, illegal connections and unrecorded consumption. Losses attributed to such practices can weaken utility finances, complicate bill recovery and increase pressure on paying consumers through higher costs and stricter enforcement campaigns.
The Multan cases are likely to proceed through evidence collection, examination of the seized meters and statements from Mepco personnel and the accused. Police have not announced any arrests, while further action will depend on the investigation’s findings and any subsequent decisions by the courts.