Lesco cracks down on 87 defaulting steel furnaces, seeks SIMs, bank account suspensions

The Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) has launched a major crackdown on defaulting steel furnaces, moving to suspend bank accounts and block mobile SIMs of 87 defaulters within its jurisdiction. The initiative is part of a broader effort to recover outstanding dues and curb electricity theft, which has contributed to significant financial losses for the power sector.

According to a media report, Lesco has already disconnected all 87 identified connections and carried out comprehensive site inspections, including photographic documentation of the premises. To reinforce compliance, banners marking default status have been placed at several sites, and wall chalking has been done to highlight defaulters publicly.

Rs95.89 million has been recovered from defaulters through installment-based payments. Additionally, 29 connections are now under recovery proceedings under the Land Revenue Act, while 27 more are still undergoing assessment.

The Power Division has been briefed that six major defaulters owe a combined Rs1.38 billion in unpaid electricity bills. 

Meanwhile, Lesco has uncovered six significant cases of electricity theft, where 22.92 million units of stolen power have been billed. The largest detection bill was issued to Amanat Ali Moeez Steel Mill in Akbar Colony, amounting to 8.23 million units, while Hari Humayun was found guilty of illegal direct hooking, resulting in a bill for 7.14 million units. 

Other major violators include Sania Shah Zeb (2.09 million units), Muhammad Jamil (2.78 million units), Rouf Ahmed (2.29 million units), and Naro Rice & Ice Mill on GT Road, Muridke (364,460 units).

To escalate recovery efforts, Lesco has traced the CNIC details of defaulting owners and recommended that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) instruct mobile operators to block SIMs associated with these CNICs. Additionally, it has proposed that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) freeze bank accounts linked to the defaulters, aiming to exert further financial pressure.

Lesco has also enhanced the monitoring of operational steel furnaces to prevent future violations. Its field teams are closely tracking power consumption patterns to detect any irregularities. 

The company has assured that stringent actions will be taken against any furnace found engaging in illegal practices, including bypassing meters or using unauthorized electricity connections.