LAHORE: Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) Chief Executive Eng Shahid Haider on Wednesday directed customer services director to disconnect all electricity connection of Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) over nonpayment of longstanding arrears of Rs 6.7 billion.

He issued the orders while presiding over a monthly performance review meeting of the company held in South Circle.

He said the Wasa had not paid any installment against the pending arrears during the last three months.

Mr Haider said the Wasa administration was contacted several times, but it neither replied, nor paid the Rs1.16bn August bill till August 21, the last date for the payment.

He said no over billing will be allowed in Lesco region, and all officers involved in operations must ensure 100pc accuracy in mobile meter readings.

He emphasized that all Lesco sub-divisional officers (SDOs) should prioritise emergency response time and promptly address the consumers’ complaints, saying unnecessary delays in answering consumers’ calls or resolving complaints will result in disciplinary actions against the officers concerned.

The chief executive expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of two persons in the Garden Town Division and ordered disciplinary action against the officers and the line superintendent concerned. He also provided guidance to Lesco engineers on how to prevent future incidents of this nature.

He was given a briefing by Assistant Manager Zafer Sulehri regarding the company’s performance in the month of July.

He issued directives to improve facilities at the complaint centers within the circle.

Customer Services Director Rai Muhammad Asghar, Recovery Director Masood Khurram, and other concerned officials were present.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2023