LAHORE: Electricity theft to the tune of approximately one million units has been unearthed at the prime minister’s constituency in Lahore.

A major chunk [of the theft] has been reported in domestic connections in Gawalmandi, Nisbet Road, Pathi Ground, Railway Road, Krishna Street, Prem Street and Old Food Street.

Though a big amount of detection bills has been charged to the ‘offenders’, pilferage [of this scale] is said to be the highest one in any subdivision in the provincial capital so far.

Currently, there are 191 subdivisions in the city where complaints [of similar nature] continue to appear off and on, an official privy to the information told Dawn.

He said the issue surfaced when statistics about the electricity stealing were presented in a meeting of a high-level committee which had been formed by Lesco chief Wajid Ali Kazmi.

1m units pilferage in Gawalmandi subdivision falling in PM’s constituency

He said the committee tasked with probing the matter was headed by Regional Training Centre EXEN Mohammad Shoaib.

The probe was ordered by Mr Kazmi on the complaint of Gawalmandi Sub Divisional Officer Naveed Shahnawaz who revealed that a ‘mafia’ under the hydro union had been facilitating electricity stealing for long.

The SDO also named union local chapter chairman Mazahir Hussain Shah allegedly involved in the power theft, the official said.

Earlier, he said, a delegation of the Lesco Engineers Association (LEA) had also met the Lesco chief on the same matter.

Headed by Iqbal Town EXEN Ramzan Butt, the delegation informed Mr Wajid that the hydro union leaders had adopted strike as a tool to escape punishment.

On this, the Lesco chief suspended Mazahir from service and ordered a proper probe into the allegations.

Presenting data of pilferage spanning over the last seven months, the committee was informed by the Gawalmandi SDO that initially a number of cases were registered against the offenders.

However, the power theft followed by line losses continued to increase despite frequent raids carried by the detection teams, he said.

Later, it transpired during [internal] inquiries that a major reason for [continuous theft] was the hydro union chairman and his colleagues who were allegedly facilitating the offenders.

Some concrete evidence in the form of audio video stuff was also produced before the committee, the official said.

The committee was informed that stealing was being committed through direct supply lines, meter tempering, by reversing mechanical meters, and using digital gadgets.

After a detailed inquiry, the committee has recommended dismissal of the hydro union chairman.

It has forwarded the case to McLeod Road EXEN Umar Bilal for implementation within two weeks or so.

A Lesco spokesman said the company had already taken action over the issue.

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2017