LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of serious corruption allegations against officers of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO). Reports suggest that several officers dismissed for corruption were reinstated in exchange for payments.

A high-level committee is investigating the matter and has been given 10 days to submit its findings. The committee has directed LESCO’s management to respond to these allegations, which also include questionable equipment purchases from an international company.

Adding to LESCO’s troubles, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has fined the company Rs10 million for failing to implement safety measures. NEPRA highlighted LESCO’s failure to ensure earthing of all steel poles, a critical safety requirement. The company has been ordered to complete earthing for steel poles within three months and PCC poles within a year.

Similar fines have been imposed on other power companies, including K-Electric, FESCO, and GEPCO.

The committee has summoned senior LESCO officers, including the chief executive and chairman, to appear in Islamabad to address these allegations. Energy Division sources also revealed that the appointment of former Chief Executive Chaudhry Amin was made illegally, further intensifying scrutiny.

The government is treating these allegations with utmost seriousness, and the investigation is expected to bring transparency and accountability to LESCO’s operations.

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