Pakistan 'fatwa' on power thieves

A power company in Pakistan has obtained a decree – or fatwa – from 12 senior Islamic scholars, declaring the theft of electricity a sin.

The Karachi Electricity Supply Company (KESC) says the thieves are costing it 1bn rupees ($12.3m) a month.

People had to realise, it said, that stealing electricity was as illegal and immoral as any other form of theft.

Many people in Karachi either siphon power from overhead cables, or slow down their electricity meters.