LESCO uncovers remote-control electricity theft network in Lahore

The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has uncovered a new method of electricity theft during a major enforcement operation in Lahore, exposing the use of remote-control devices to manipulate power meters and cause significant financial losses to the utility.

According to an official statement issued by the company spokesperson, LESCO teams conducted a targeted raid in the Shahdara area following instructions from Chief Executive Engineer Muhammad Ramzan Butt. During the operation, officials discovered that an industrial electricity connection was being illegally controlled through remote devices, allowing users to tamper with meter readings and steal electricity.

Two suspects were arrested on the spot for allegedly operating the system. Authorities said the illegal activity had resulted in losses of approximately Rs6.5 million to the power distribution company. The enforcement team also seized critical equipment from the site, including modified electricity meters, cables and a transformer used in the theft mechanism.

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Senior officials of the Northern Circle, including SE Muhammad Muzammil, along with surveillance and Metering & Testing (M&T) teams from Jia Musa, were praised for their role in the successful operation. LESCO management stated that the crackdown against electricity theft is being intensified, with indiscriminate operations continuing across the region to curb power losses and improve revenue recovery.

The development comes amid a broader campaign by the utility against internal and external power theft networks. Earlier, LESCO had taken disciplinary action against its own employees involved in electricity theft. According to official records, 101 employees were dismissed over the past six months following investigations into their involvement in illegal connections and meter tampering.

Officials further stated that 10 employees have been arrested so far, while several others have been forcibly retired after serious allegations were proven. LESCO reiterated its commitment to eliminating electricity theft and strengthening monitoring systems to ensure transparency and efficiency in the power distribution network.

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