LAHORE: Despite a decline in the line losses caused by massive power theft, Kasur still exists on top in Punjab in terms of power theft.

On the other hand, the power thieves continue to attack the Lahore Electric Supply Company teams raiding the rural areas, especially the district’s border belt.

“The Lesco teams, despite being accompanied by the officials of Pakistan Rangers and Punjab Police, face attacks as several villages have almost turned into tribal areas,” an official told Dawn, requesting anonymity.

“They (thieves) keep attacking even when we reach offices or homes after conducting raids. The situation is really very serious, as the officials in most operations continue to be thrashed and injured by the power thieves,” he added.

For the last many years, Kasur has been reportedly on top among all Punjab districts in terms of power theft. In 2023, Kasur had almost half of the total 20 highest loss-making grid stations of the province and this caused Rs40bn loss annually—40 per cent of the total line losses of the Lesco in the province. This forced the company to intensify operations against electricity pilferage in the district, keeping in view existence of a majority of high loss feeders.

“The attacks on Lesco teams mean that our teams, with the help of the Rangers and police, are making all-out efforts to detect electricity pilferage and take action against the power thieves. Though the thieves are offering resistance, we will not surrender,” Lesco Chief Executive Officer Ramzan Butt said while talking to Dawn.

The Lesco chief admitted that there was a massive power theft in Kasur. “It is the worst district. There are various areas where the Lesco teams were, once, unable to conduct operations at night time,” he said, adding that it is a good sign that the operations at night were being carried out at the moment.

To a question, he claimed that the line losses due to power theft in Kasur had dropped to below 30pc from 40pc but further efforts were underway to reduce it more.

“In various villages, even women are involved in power theft by using hooks during the night time. These women don’t get bothered by police, FIRs, investigation, detection bills etc,” he said.

To another question, he said the complaints related to overbilling had also been reduced following disciplinary action by the Lesco management against the Lesco officials.

Meanwhile, power thieves, including women, attacked a Lesco team after it reached the village Mann and detected power theft. When the team removed meters, wires etc, the suspects attacked them, using iron rods and bricks. They injured three officials, forcing others to flee.

“The culprits, namely Sharafat, Yasir and Shahzad, also held some officials hostage at gunpoint for a few hours. They snatched the meters and other material the Lesco team had seized during the raid,” said a spokesperson for Lesco. Later, the police reached the spot and rescued the Lesco officials. An FIR was lodged against the suspects.

PRA: The Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) posted more than 31pc growth in October. During the first four months, overall tax receipts remained 28pc higher compared to the same period last year. According to a spokesperson, the effective planning and the use of modern technology have strengthened transparency in the tax collection system.

Published in Dawn, November 16th, 2025