LAHORE: Electricity thieves on Tuesday attacked a Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) team and seriously injured an official in Shahdara Sub-Division.

The company’s spokesman told the media that a Lesco team went to take reading of the scanning meter installed to prevent electricity theft in Mohalla Kakkezai of Shahdara. While the team was taking reading, suspected electricity thieves armed with knives attacked the officials.

In the attack, he said, Meter Reader Kashif Hameed Butt suffered a deep wound on his abdomen, and was shifted to the Mian Munshi Hospital.

Lesco has installed scanning meters in different areas to prevent electricity theft by monitoring the load (usage) and the power supply. The police arrested the main accused, and were conducting raids to nab his accomplices.

Lesco Chief Executive Officer Engineer Shahid Haider, taking notice of the incident, ordered a strict action against the accused. He also directed the company’s legal team to assess the incident from all aspects and ensure that the attackers are handed down maximum punishment by the court of law.

Meanwhile, Lesco teams detected another 283 connections where the consumers were pilfering electricity. The pilferage has been detected in all Lesco circles of five districts (Lahore, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Kasur and Okara).

The spokesman told the media that the company has also submitted applications for registration of FIRs against 279 electricity thieves, out of which 189 FIRs have been registered in respective police stations, while 28 accused have been arrested.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2023