Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an investigation into the illegal reinstatement of officers fired for corruption at Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO). A high-level committee has been formed to investigate these allegations, and is expected to reach its conclusions within 10 days.
According to its notification, the committee called on the management of Lesco to respond to accusations that 12 officers were restored to their positions in exchange for bribes.
In addition, LESCO allegedly made questionable purchases from an international company. The investigation will also scrutinize the illegal appointment of former CEO Chaudhry Amin. The committee summoned the current CEO, Chairman of Lesco and other senior officials to Islamabad for questioning.
Meanwhile, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has imposed a fine of Rs 10 million on LESCO for failing to implement safety measures. NEPRA cited the company’s failure to comply with guidance to complete grounding on 100% of its poles, a basic safety requirement.
As part of the punishment, LESCO has been directed to finish earthing of steel structures within three months and complete earthing on PCC columns within a year. Similar sanctions have previously been imposed on other energy companies, including K-Electric, FESCO and GEPCO.