The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has launched a major crackdown against electricity bill defaulters across Lahore and surrounding areas. The operation has already resulted in large-scale power disconnections in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
According to official sources, LESCO has started disconnecting electricity connections immediately after the due date if monthly bills remain unpaid. The campaign is being described as one of the strictest recovery drives in recent months.
The move comes as authorities attempt to improve recovery targets and reduce the growing burden of unpaid electricity dues. However, the action has also sparked concern among consumers already struggling with inflation and rising utility costs.
Officials warned consumers paying bills through instalments to strictly follow payment schedules. They said any delay in instalment payments could lead to immediate suspension of electricity supply.
In another strict measure, LESCO has reportedly decided to disconnect all electricity connections at a property if even one registered user is found to be a defaulter. Authorities believe some consumers were using multiple meters to continue electricity usage despite unpaid dues on older connections.
The power company said the step is intended to close loopholes and prevent misuse of the system. Officials added that several localities had accumulated large unpaid bills over many years.
Sources claimed some consumers avoided clearing previous debts by installing new electricity meters while continuing to use power services. In response, LESCO has now directed field teams to disconnect even newly installed connections linked to unresolved arrears.
The new enforcement policy is expected to affect habitual defaulters who allegedly used different methods to avoid payment recovery actions.
At the same time, official data released by the Ministry of Energy highlighted the massive amount of taxes collected through electricity bills across Pakistan.
According to the figures, electricity consumers paid more than Rs19 trillion in taxes over the last three years. Distribution companies collected Rs5.07 trillion during 2022-23 and Rs6.98 trillion in 2023-24. More than Rs7 trillion was collected during the latest fiscal year.
Among major power distribution companies, LESCO remained one of the top contributors. The company collected approximately Rs5.32 trillion in taxes over the three-year period.
Officials said the figures reflect the growing tax burden included in electricity bills across the country. The issue has once again started debate over rising utility expenses and challenges facing Pakistan’s power sector.
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Consumers affected by the crackdown are being advised to clear outstanding dues immediately to avoid further disconnections and legal action.
