Power theft and unpaid dues force Lesco to suspend electricity in Kasur's high-loss villages, with residents staging protests amid rising tensions with the utility company.
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| Lesco disconnects power supply to two Kasur villages over unpaid bills and rampant power theft, sparking protests and highlighting Pakistan’s ongoing electricity theft crisis. Image Courtesy: Pixabay |
Lahore, Pakistan - October 28, 2024:
The Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) has taken decisive action against power theft and non-payment of bills in two high-loss villages of Kot Radha Kishan, Kasur. Due to the persistent issue of electricity theft and accumulated unpaid bills amounting to Rs85 million, Lesco has suspended power supply to the villages of Mir Muhammad and Sattoki.
The move has sparked protests from the affected residents, who have taken to the streets to voice their discontent. However, Lesco maintains that the disconnection was necessary to address the severe power theft problem in the region. The company has accused a significant portion of the villagers of directly stealing electricity from 11kV wires, causing substantial financial losses.
Kasur district has emerged as a major concern for Lesco due to its high rate of power theft. In 2023, the district topped the list with 10 of the 26 highest loss-making grid stations, resulting in annual losses of nearly Rs17 billion. This alarming situation has prompted Lesco to intensify its efforts to curb power theft and recover outstanding dues.
Lesco's crackdown on power theft extends beyond the affected Kasur villages. Since September 2023, the company has arrested over 43,000 individuals involved in electricity theft. Additionally, Lesco maintenance teams are actively upgrading the distribution system by replacing transformers and installing advanced meters to improve efficiency and reduce losses.
The company's recovery efforts have yielded significant results, with over Rs8.5 million recovered from chronic defaulters in the past 24 hours. Lesco remains committed to addressing the issue of power theft and ensuring a sustainable power supply for its consumers.