LAHORE: The Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) has approved security measures aimed at protecting the lives of its field teams during anti-theft operations across Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib districts.

The policy has been approved following frequent attacks on its teams’ members, including a recent incident in which an executive engineer was gunned down in Sheikhupura circle.

Under the policy, each sub-divisional officer would be provided with three armed security guards, whereas police and Rangers would also extend assistance during operations.

“Those involved in killing the executive engineer would soon be brought to justice and punished in accordance with the law,” Lesco Chief Executive Officer Ramzan Butt warned while presiding over meetings during his visits to Sheikhupura and Kasur circles. “Each SDO will be provided with three guards soon, as the policy has been approved by the Lesco board,” he revealed.

He directed officials to continue an indiscriminate crackdown on electricity theft, improve recovery and reduce line losses, while ensuring better security for field staff.

The meetings were attended by the superintending engineers, deputy commercial managers, deputy directors (technical), executive engineers, sub-divisional officers and revenue officials.

Mr Butt said there was no room for overbilling in the company and called for a zero-tolerance policy towards electricity theft. He directed officials to meet recovery targets, reduce line losses and ensure accurate billing, improved services and uninterrupted power supply to consumers. He said there were no no-go areas for Lesco officials and directed them to perform their duties without succumbing to pressure or resistance.

The CEO directed all superintending engineers to ensure the provision of transport, office furniture and other essential facilities at field offices. He said the company’s performance was the result of the hard work and capabilities of its officers and employees. With the support of the Lesco board of directors and the Ministry of Energy, the company was promoting merit and transparency, he added.

He urged officials to discharge their responsibilities with honesty and dedication.

He also advised consumers to rely on verified information from official Lesco sources rather than unverified reports circulating on social media.

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2026