LAHORE: In a major operation, Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) claimed on Thursday to have detected a massive power theft at a business centre and outhouse owned by a former MPA.

According to a Lesco spokesperson, a team headed by the superintendent engineer (SE) and Rana Town subdivision’s SDO was tipped about power theft at the properties owned by former lawmaker Malik Nadeem Abbas Bara.

On receiving information, he claimed the team raided the MPA’s plaza wherein electricity was being stolen at six apartments (flats) and five commercial shops by taking supply directly from the main line. Later, the team inspected the outhouse of the MPA and also found the connection being used unlawfully without paying the bills amounting to Rs950,000.

The team disconnected the power supply at all premises besides seizing the material being used for stealing electricity, the spokesperson added.

“Power theft is not only damaging to the economy but also the honest consumers,” Lesco Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Ramzan Butt said in a statement. “To end power theft, we will not take any influence or pressure,” he warned.

PROJECTS: In a meeting held here on Thursday, the progress on the ongoing projects of the Ravi Urban Development Authority (Ruda) were reviewed.

The meeting was presided over by Housing Secretary Noorul Amin Mengal, while Ruda CEO Imran Amin gave a briefing on the progress of various initiatives.

During the meeting, instructions were issued to further accelerate work on the 46-kilometer-long river training works.

The secretary emphasised that all administrative, legal, and construction-related hurdles must be resolved immediately to avoid any delays in project completion.

The briefing highlighted that work on the embankment from Siphon to Jhok Forest was ongoing and would be completed in three phases. The meeting was told that the M-2 embankment was expected to be completed by the middle of the current year.

It was told that the Mahmood Booti dumping site project was nearing completion, while development activities in various residential and commercial areas had been progressing rapidly.

The secretary directed that green infrastructure be ensured in Ravi City to promote environmental improvement and that settlement in adjoining areas be expedited.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2026