LESCO pledges uninterrupted power supply to textile industry

LAHORE: The Chief Executive Officer of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO), Engr. Muhammad Ramzan Butt, has assured the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) of uninterrupted electricity supply to the industrial sector with special focus on export-oriented units, aimed at boosting economic activity and increasing export volumes.

Butt made the pledge during a visit to the APTMA Lahore office on Wednesday where he met with leading exporters and senior industry representatives. He was accompanied by senior LESCO officials, including Chief Engineer (P&D) Faisal Zakria, GM Technical Rai Muhammad Asghar, and Chief Information Technology Officer Usman Ali, among others.

Addressing the gathering, the LESCO CEO said the company is fully committed to serving its industrial consumers, noting that a thriving industry not only drives manufacturing activity but also generates additional revenue for the utility. He described power interruptions that force mills to shut down as deeply concerning and confirmed that LESCO is fast-tracking the approval of industrial connections to support economic growth.

While acknowledging the growing electricity demand among APTMA members on the LESCO network, Butt expressed concern over a decline in consumption recorded during April and May. He urged textile manufacturers to remain connected to the national grid rather than switching to alternative fuels, emphasising that grid electricity remains the more cost-effective option for industrial users. He also invited the APTMA to bring any instances of power interruptions, voltage jerks, or outages directly to his personal attention for immediate resolution.

Speaking at the meeting, APTMA Chairman Kamran Arshad underscored the critical importance of the textile sector to Pakistan’s economy, highlighting its 60 percent share of total exports and its role in employing 40 percent of the country’s manufacturing workforce.

APTMA North Zone Chairman Asad Shafi presented a detailed set of recommendations, urging LESCO to allow multiple electricity connections at integrated industrial units in line with the NEPRA Consumer Service Manual, raise the 11kV feeder ceiling for B-3 industrial connections from 7.5MW to 10MW, and establish dedicated industrial support desks for faster resolution of technical and commercial complaints.

APTMA Energy Advisor Tahir Basharat Cheema highlighted the broader policy push toward greater electricity consumption to strengthen the power sector, while Secretary General Mohammad Raza Baqir noted that even a single momentary tripping can cause up to 30 minutes of production loss, translating into millions of rupees in damages for industrial consumers.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026