The number of defective and burnt electricity meters within the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) network has climbed to an all-time high.
According to official documents, a combined total of 105,000 single-phase and three-phase meters have been declared faulty or burnt across the company’s operational areas.
LESCO recorded 102,000 damaged single-phase meters, while another 2,400 three-phase meters were found either malfunctioning or burnt.
Despite the mounting numbers, the utility company has been unable to complete replacements because its meter stock has nearly run out.
Under NEPRA regulations, LESCO is legally bound to replace all defective meters. However, due to the shortage, consumers are being issued average bills instead of receiving new meters.
The average billing continues after LESCO applies a “defective code” to customer accounts in place of proper meter replacement.
The company had earlier halted the installation of conventional electricity meters following directives from the Ministry of Energy’s Power Division. After this ban, the procurement of single-phase smart meters also slowed significantly, further delaying replacement efforts.
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