LAHORE: Starting from Lahore, Punjab on Friday began a mega operation against power and gas theft a day before the formal launch of the campaign which was scheduled for Saturday.

The operation titled “Prime Minister’s Initiative against electricity theft” was vigorously launched simultaneously in various parts of the provincial capital, unearthing power stealing by industrial units and individuals.

“Since we have already devised a plan, we launched the operation from Friday rather than waiting for Saturday. Various teams comprising officials of the city administration, police, Lahore Electricity Supply Company (Lesco), Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and other departments concerned have been constituted in this regard,” Lahore’s deputy commissioner retired Captain Anwarul Haq told Dawn.

According to the city administration, the team-1 launched operation at Abid Town, Samsani Road (Hanjarwal) where it detected a massive power theft by four factories and as many as 100 houses.

Hundreds of illegal connections detected

“Here the factory owner Waqar Ahmad was running his four units by stealing power through an underground wiring network. He was also supplying electricity to 100 houses and charging them through installation of sub-meters,” said the DC who was supervising the operation.

Suspect Waqar managed to flee as soon as the team started dismantling the unlawful power distribution network. The team also sealed factories where the suspect used to manufacture embroidery dresses, plastic shopping bags etc.

The team-2 raided premises near Maraka (Chhung) where owners of a plaza were stealing electricity directly from 11kV power distribution line. The team not only arrested suspects Asif and Shaukat but also sealed the premises.

Similarly, the team-3 raided Yakka Market (Multan Road) and found 15 houses being supplied electricity through an illegal connection. Suspect Mohammad Ali, who was involved in stealing electricity and supplying it to houses through installation of sub-meters, fled from the scene.

“Besides the aforementioned operations, our teams also detected power theft by some individuals at various spots. Eight FIRs have been registered against 12 suspects at police stations of Hanjarwal, Sundar and Mustafa Town. “The operation will continue till elimination of power theft in Lahore,” the DC said.

Meanwhile, an operation against power theft was also launched in Multan. “We have also launched the operation, unearthing electricity theft at various spots in Multan city,” DC Mudassir Riaz told this reporter.

Published in Dawn, October 27th , 2018

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