The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) is grappling with severe electricity theft, with a reported daily loss of 3 million units, leading to a total of 270 million units stolen over the past three months. This stolen electricity is valued at over Rs. 16.2 billion, according to a recent LESCO document.
Despite attempts to control the situation, the company faces challenges from poor management and political interference. As per sources, incompetent officials, appointed on the recommendations of ministers and MNAs, now hold key positions, while officers actively combating electricity theft have been side-lined.
This political meddling has worsened the situation, contributing to a rise in LESCO’s line losses. Between July and September 2024, LESCO’s losses jumped to 15.40%, a notable increase from 12.20% during the same period last year.
Political influence has led to the appointment of SDOs, XENs, and SEs in key constituencies, protecting the interests of influential figures. Incompetent leadership has further resorted to filing bogus cases instead of addressing the root causes of the theft.
Despite these setbacks, LESCO’s spokesperson denied any political interference, stating that the company has taken action against over 140,000 electricity thieves since September 2023, imposing fines worth Rs. 5.49 billion. However, experts argue that the company’s efforts remain insufficient, as system inefficiencies and rising theft continue to plague the largest distribution company in the country.