Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an inquiry into the illegal reinstatement of officers dismissed for corruption in the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO). A high-level committee has been constituted to probe the allegations, with its findings expected within 10 days.
The committee, as per its notification, has demanded responses from LESCO’s management regarding accusations of reinstating 12 officers in exchange for bribes.Â
Additionally, LESCO is alleged to have made questionable purchases from an international company. The investigation will also scrutinize the reportedly unlawful appointment of former Chief Executive Chaudhry Amin. The committee has summoned the current chief executive, the Chairman of LESCO’s Board, and other senior officials to Islamabad for questioning.
Meanwhile, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has imposed a Rs 10 million fine on LESCO for failing to implement safety measures. NEPRA cited the company’s non-compliance with directives to complete earthing on 100% of its poles, a critical safety requirement.
As part of the penalty, LESCO has been directed to finish earthing steel structures within three months and complete earthing on PCC poles within a year. Similar penalties have previously been imposed on other power companies, including K-Electric, FESCO, and GEPCO.
