LAHORE: The engineers and workers of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) staged a protest rally on Tuesday, demanding protection against lawless elements of committing power theft.

The rally was held under the aegis of the Lesco Engineers Association and the All Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union from the Lesco Headquarters to the Civil Line Police Station.

Executive Engineer Amir Nawaz and Shalamar Sub-Division SDO Salahuddin were attacked and seriously injured on Monday. Line Superintendent Kashif and lineman Muhammad Khan of the Hamza Town Subdivision were also attacked and injured during the course of prevention of electricity theft.

Addressing the rally, the union leaders said some 50,000 cases had been lodged against the electricity thieves but not a single person had been punished so far.

The rally was addressed by union secretary general Khurshid Ahmad and Lesco Engineers Association Secretary Engineer Riaz Ahmad who said power theft and inclusion of taxes in bills had been raising the rates of electricity.

They urged the caretaker prime minister to ensure safe and healthy working conditions for the field staff during the performance of duty and bring the suspects to the book.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2023