Power dues worth Rs623m recovered

The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has intensified its ongoing drive against power theft and recovery of outstanding dues, registering 2,493 FIRs and arresting 43 electricity thieves between August 1 and 25.

According to LESCO documents, a total of 4,678 complaints of power theft were received during the period. These included 4,446 domestic, 138 commercial, 89 agricultural, and 5 industrial cases. Of these, applications for FIRs were submitted against 4,635 suspects, leading to 2,493 formal registrations. The operations were carried out by LESCO's anti-power theft teams in coordination with the Disco Support Unit, police, and Rangers.

During the crackdown, LESCO charged 8.51 million units of stolen electricity to consumers, amounting to more than Rs2.04 billion, while recoveries worth over Rs393.9 million have so far been made.

Meanwhile, the company has also accelerated its recovery campaign against defaulters and "dead defaulters." From July 1 to August 15, LESCO recovered Rs623.8 million from more than 13,000 defaulters. These included Rs468 million from 9,351 active defaulters and Rs157.8 million from 4,042 disconnected consumers.

Breakdown of recoveries by circle shows Rs780.9 million from 754 defaulters in Northern Circle, Rs1.28 billion from 2,411 in Central Circle, Rs964 million from 1,346 in Eastern Circle, Rs482.8 million from 1,080 in Okara Circle, Rs275 million from 686 in Southern Circle, Rs70 million from 233 in Sheikhupura Circle, Rs2.23 billion from 6,179 in Kasur Circle, and Rs141 million from 702 defaulters in Nankana.