LAHORE?KASUR: More than 30 lawyers led by Kasur District Council vice-chairman Malik Ijaz allegedly thrashed a Lesco’s sub-divisional officer (SDO) and his staff for taking legal action against an advocate’s brother on the charges of power theft.

According a press release issued by a Lesco spokesman, Bahadurpura (rural Kasur) SDO Rashid Awan caught Malik Arshad stealing electricity through 11kV lines on July 6. He submitted an application to the police station for registration of a case against the suspect.

The suspect and his brother Advocate Malik Nawaz hurled threats at the SDO asking him to withdraw the case. The SDO, however, snubbed them and pledged to take a legal action.

“On Thursday, Nawaz, along with Kasur District Council’s vice chairman and 30 lawyers, stormed the SDO’s office and thrashed him and his staff. They left the office threatening the SDO with dire consequences.

The entire staff of Lesco’s rural area (Kasur) observed a strike and vociferously protested against the assailants, said the press release. Officials also stopped power supply to the local courts and judicial complex for many hours.

Following Lesco CEO Syed Wajid Ali Kazmi’s directions, another application for registration of a case against the suspects was submitted to police.

Meanwhile, the CEO warned the power thieves of stern action.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2017