LAHORE: In several raids in the districts of Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Nankana and Sheikupura, the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) teams detected power theft worth over Rs750 million since July 1.

The teams also recovered over Rs195m from the power thieves as detection bills/units, according to a spokesperson for the company.

The spokesman said the company has intensified its drive to combat electricity theft under a zero-tolerance policy in close coordination with police and Rangers. Since the start of the fiscal year 2025-26 on July 1 to date, the Lesco field formations and other offices have received 15,097 complaints related to electricity theft, comprising 14,371 domestic, 494 commercial, 195 agricultural and 37 industrial connections. The teams also submitted applications for registration of 14,956 first information reports (FIRs), of which 9,828 have been officially registered.

As a result of these enforcement operations, 219 individuals involved in electricity theft were also arrested. The teams detected electricity theft amounting to over 21.9 million units, leading to the issuance of detection bills exceeding Rs751m.

“The total financial recovery from electricity theft has surpassed Rs195.32m,” the spokesperson maintained. And through coordinated field operations with law-enforcement agencies, the company has achieved significant reductions in theft and increase in recoveries.

She further stated that electricity theft not only depleted national resources but also unfairly burdens honest consumers. “We remain resolute in its ongoing efforts to eradicate electricity theft and protect the interests of all stakeholders,” she pledged.

On the other hand, various works related to upgrade of grid stations, transmission lines, transformers etc were also performed from Sept 1 to 15, according to the spokesman.

TRANSFERRED: The Pakistan Railways (PR) administration on Monday transferred and posted five officers.

According to a notification, Farhan Awan, mechanical engineer in BS-19 (deputy divisional superintendent, technical, Karachi) was transferred and posted as deputy chief (operations), Lahore. Muhammad Idris (deputy chief operations, Lahore) was transferred and posted as deputy DS (Karachi), Faheem Zaman (deputy mechanical engineer freight, Karachi) was transferred and posted as works manager (construction) in the place of Zain Ali was transferred and posted as DME / Freight. Munir Ahamd, AME-1, Quetta was transferred and posted as AME-1 (Sukkur).

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2025