LESCO Accused of Overbilling, Bribery and Illegal Power Cuts

Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has demanded an investigation into Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) following allegations of corruption, overbilling, power outages and misconduct in Chunian’s Allahabad area. These claims were made through an adjournment motion submitted by treasury member Ahsan Raza Khan.

According to the motion, LESCO officials demanded payment of Rs. 150,000 from a local resident for the removal of high-tension wires, but failed to complete the work and instead used intimidation tactics. The motion also alleged that LESCO officials filed false electricity theft cases against consumers, which were later disproven by police video evidence.

Additionally, the motion cited instances of LESCO disconnecting power to consumers' homes and engaging in extortion for transformer repairs, meter replacements, and widespread power cuts lasting up to 18 hours daily.

The Punjab Assembly speaker alleged that these issues are part of a broader corruption network involving linemen and senior officials. During an informal media interaction, the speaker also criticized recent LESCO raids in Kasur, describing them as unlawful and citing complaints of harassment, privacy violations, and collective power disconnections affecting entire villages over line losses.

The speaker raised concerns about flood-affected residents facing excessive billing and demands for bribes to correct their bills. He stated that he had already brought the matter to the attention of Federal Power Minister Awais Leghari and would raise it with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan further criticized utility officials for being confined to air-conditioned offices and emphasized that collective punishment for line losses or individual electricity theft is unlawful.