LAHORE: The Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) cut off Bahria Town’s electricity supply on Monday due to significant unpaid debt of more over Rs762 million.
Dawn has learned that the company’s executive engineer for the Raiwind division reported the issue to the highest authorities and requested their approval to take action, which resulted in the massive housing scheme’s supply being shut off.
“Bahria Town has long been required to pay the dues following the quarterly tariff adjustment and the adjustment in fuel prices. An official source in Lesco told Dawn that despite the company’s persistent efforts, the Bahria town administration received no response from them.
In response to a query, the representative stated that Bharra Town, the customer, also filed a lawsuit against Lesco. The matter was taken to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) by the Supreme Court, which affirmed the company’s position and stated it was supported by the evidence.
Following this development, Lesco conferred with its legal counsel and decided to approach the scheme owner once more to collect the outstanding balance; however, this was ineffective because the customer failed to pay. According to the official, the head of the Lesco Raiwind division then drafted a letter to the general manager of operations, who authorized cutting off the power supply to Bahria Town.
The request to disconnect the B-4 connection (132kV Bahria Town Mohlanwal Grid Station) has been made by the executive engineer (Operations), Raiwind, on the grounds that the FPA/QTA fee of Rs762.82 million has not been paid. The letter states that February 23 was the deadline.
The letter from the Lesco GM (Operations) to the National Power Control Centre (NPCC), Islamabad, states, “In this context, it is suggested to allow releasing of 132kV line (DMG-2) regulating Dream Garden — Bahria Town along with 132kV line CB (MGM-3) managing Manga Mandi-Bahria Town to cut off the power supply of M/s Bahria Town.”
In response to a query, the official stated that the administration of the plan had refused to settle the debt, not even in installments.
