Speaker Punjab Assembly vows to take LESCO complaints to PM, alleges widespread corruption

Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmed Khan has announced that he will take complaints regarding the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO)

LAHORE: Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmed Khan has announced that he will take complaints regarding the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, alleging widespread corruption, mismanagement, overbilling and unannounced load shedding within the company’s jurisdiction.

Addressing a press conference at the Punjab Assembly on Thursday, Malik Ahmed Khan expressed serious concern over the electricity situation in villages and urban areas, saying prolonged and unannounced power outages had made life difficult for citizens.

The Speaker said that during his election campaign, he had visited villages and made commitments to voters regarding the provision of reliable electricity and an end to load shedding. However, he said, several villages were now experiencing eight to eight hours of load shedding.

He alleged that consumers were facing problems due to what he described as poor management and corrupt practices within LESCO. According to him, citizens were allegedly being asked to pay between Rs100,000 and Rs150,000 for covering exposed electricity wires.

Malik Ahmed Khan also expressed concern over accidents involving uncovered wires, saying that a child had lost an arm because of exposed electrical cables. He said children and livestock were also at risk because of unsafe wiring in some areas.

The Speaker further alleged that some LESCO officials enter the rooftops of private houses without permission or warrants and disconnect electricity supplies to entire villages and localities without providing adequate reasons.

He also accused some officials of mistreating citizens and alleged that corrupt practices were continuing despite complaints from the public and elected representatives.

Referring to allegations of bribery, Malik Ahmed Khan claimed that officials accused of receiving large sums of money were sometimes rewarded with flower bouquets instead of facing disciplinary action. He called for immediate action against officials involved in corruption and demanded an end to overbilling and unannounced load shedding.

The Speaker said complaints and cases against certain LESCO officials were already pending with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), including allegations relating to facilitating electricity theft and irregular promotions.

Criticising the company’s performance, Malik Ahmed Khan said LESCO should not be described as serving the public if citizens were allegedly being subjected to corruption and harassment. He said public servants who helped people overcome poverty and difficulties deserved recognition rather than those accused of taking bribes.

The Speaker said he had already forwarded a list of officials and complaints to the Federal Minister for Energy and would now send the same information to the Prime Minister.

“My first responsibility is the people of my constituency. The Speakership comes later,” he said, adding that he would also place the list before the relevant Assembly committee.

Malik Ahmed Khan said several MPAs were preparing complaints against LESCO and urged authorities not to treat concerns raised by elected representatives as political interference.

He demanded immediate measures to address overbilling, prolonged power outages, exposed electricity wires and alleged corrupt practices, saying ordinary citizens were bearing the consequences of what he described as inefficiency and mismanagement within the power utility.