LESCO uncovers power theft at petrol pumps, schools, tube wells
LAHORE: Raiding teams from the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO), in major operations against electricity theft in various areas of Lahore and Sheikhupura, unearthed illegal power usage at petrol pumps, private schools, tube wells, and other consumer connections.
According to LESCO officials, a tube well connection owned by Chaudhry Ashiq in Manga Mandi in suburban Lahore was found tampered with through shunts installed in the terminal blocks of all phases of an AMI meter to steal electricity.
In another operation in the Dhoop Sari area, officials detected a shunt in a consumer’s meter terminal block where a 17-ampere load was being used illegally.
During further inspections on Sundar Raiwind Road, a petrol pump was found involved in electricity theft by disabling one phase of a three-phase green meter. Authorities also identified irregularities in the net metering system at the site.
Moreover, at a branch of a famous private school in Manga Mandi, officials discovered one dead phase, an opened meter seal, and the use of electricity under an incorrect tariff category. An additional unauthorized MFI connection was also found installed at the premises.
Similarly, inspections at another private school revealed an opened meter terminal seal and one dead phase, while the institution was allegedly consuming electricity under the wrong tariff category.
LESCO authorities stated that legal proceedings have been initiated against all connections involved in the violations, and detection bills are being issued accordingly.
In a separate operation, the Sheikhupura Circle of LESCO also detected electricity theft at a petrol pump through a direct supply connection. According to LESCO, an inspection team from the IRO Civil Lines Subdivision, found a petrol pump using electricity illegally through a direct connection. The team immediately disconnected the illegal supply. The consumer involved has been charged with a detection bill of 25,000 units, amounting to approximately Rs1.8 million, the officials said.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026