Electricity Act, 1910

The Electricity Act, 1910 is the original law regulating the supply and use of electrical energy in Pakistan, covering how electricity licences are granted, the obligations of electricity suppliers, and criminal offences related to misuse or theft of electricity.

Part II deals with licensing. Section 3 allows the Provincial Government to grant a licence to supply energy in a specified area and to lay down electric supply-lines. Sections 4-10 cover revocation or amendment of licences, what happens when a licence is revoked (including possible government purchase of the licensee's undertaking), and restrictions on a licensee associating with other licensed undertakings or transferring its business without approval. Section 22 places licensees under an obligation to supply energy to consumers in their area, and Section 23 requires that charges for energy be made without undue preference between consumers. Section 24 allows a licensee to discontinue supply to a consumer who neglects to pay their charges.

Several sections deal with safety and infrastructure: Section 12 governs opening and breaking up streets, railways, and tramways to lay cables; Section 18 covers aerial (overhead) lines; and Section 19 provides for compensation for damage caused by such works. Section 26 concerns meters, and Section 26A specifically addresses dishonest abstraction or consumption of energy (i.e., tampering to steal electricity).

Part IV contains a substantial set of criminal offences connected to electricity. Section 39 criminalises theft of energy, Section 39A penalises installing devices or artificial means to bypass metering, Section 40 penalises maliciously wasting energy or damaging works, Sections 41-47 create further offences for unauthorised supply by non-licensees, illegal or defective supply, illegal transmission or use of energy, interference with meters, extinguishing public lamps, and negligent wastage or damage. The extract does not specify the exact fines or imprisonment terms attached to these offences, so anyone needing precise penalty amounts should check the current official text or Schedule.

This is a very old law (1910) that has been amended repeatedly -- the extract shows many "Subs. by" and Adaptation Order footnotes, including changes made as recently as 1979 and 1975. Given its age and the extensive history of amendment, specific figures, authorities named (e.g. "Provincial Government" versus "Federal Government"), and penalty details should be verified against the current text before being relied upon.