LAHORE: The Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) is set to investigate power theft on several court premises.

With 2,600 connections installed in lawyers’ chambers being flagged for inspection, Kasur leads among all districts served by Lesco, Dawn has learnt.

“While we have initiated inspections of lawyers’ chambers nearly every Sunday, formal operations are yet to commence,” Lesco Chief Executive Officer Shahid Haider told Dawn.

“Nevertheless, we have shared the lists with district administrations to secure their support in these operations. Our efforts will extend to all Kutcheries in Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Nankana Sahib and Shiekhupura.”

According to an internal report, Lesco’s northern circle has identified 34 chambers in Lahore and Ferozewala kutcheries where lawyers get power through direct lines, resulting in a monthly loss of Rs1.61 million.

The company’s central circle has identified 490 chambers in the kutcheries of high and supreme courts where power supply continues illegally through direct connections, estimating losses of up to Rs3.53 million per month.

Lesco’s south circle, which covers Model Town and Cantt kutcheries, has identified 203 chambers.

Teams report losses of up to Rs4.58 million. Okara Circle, which includes Renala Khurd, Okara and Depalpur kutcheries, has 410 chambers where power pilferage is underway by lawyers, leading to reported losses of Rs17.41 million.

Sheikhupura Circle has identified 140 chambers where electricity supply is being carried unlawfully, with an estimated monthly financial loss of Rs5.4 million at the Sheikhpura kutchery. Kasur Circle has four kutcheries: Kasur, Chunian, Pattoki and Kot Radha Kishan where 1,321 of 1,387 chambers are receiving electricity illegally, resulting in losses of up to Rs22.34 million.

Nankana Sahib Circle covers Nankana, Shahkot and Sangla Hill, with reported power theft worth Rs3.65 million. However, the report does not mention the number of chambers receiving power directly from the main lines.

Lahore Bar Association President Rana Intizar Hussain said he supported anti-power theft operations, saying that no one, including lawyers, should be allowed to steal electricity in any way.

“I believe that whoever is involved in power theft, whether lawyers or otherwise, must be dealt with in accordance with the law,” he added.

Also, the Lesco administration plans to intensify the anti-power theft campaign in hard areas, such as Sharaqpur, Ferozewala, Kala Khatai Road, Ali Park, Burj Attari, Bund Road, Mohallah Kakkayzai, Saggian, Niaz Beg, Dubanpura, Shahpur, Bagarian, Shadewal, Samsani, Sundar, Mohlanwal, Sattokatla, Kharak, Lakhudair, border areas (Burki, Hadiara, Ghurki, etc.), Sitara Colony, and Shah Di Khui, as well as various unelectrified housing societies.

Other areas targeted include Ravi Belt Area, Renala, Sher Garh, Hujra, Depalpur Road in the Okara circle, border areas of Narang, villages in the vicinity, and Khanqa Dogra in the Sheikhupura circle, Ravi belt area, Bucheki, and Syed Wala in the Nankana circle, and Pattoki, Chunian, Kanganpur, Phool Nagar, Kot Radha Kishan, border area, Lalyani in Kasur.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2023