The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has reportedly ended the 30-year free electricity facility for officers in Grades 18 to 20, marking a notable development in Pakistan's ongoing power sector reforms.
According to publicly available reports, eligible officers will now pay their electricity bills instead of receiving thousands of free electricity units each year.
What Has Changed?
Under the reported decision:
- Free electricity units for officers in Grades 18–20 have been discontinued.
- Senior officers will now be responsible for paying their monthly electricity bills.
- The move is viewed as part of broader efforts to improve financial discipline and reduce operational costs.
Calls for a Uniform Policy
Reports indicate that while LESCO has implemented the change, several other electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) continue to provide similar benefits due to ongoing court stay orders.
LESCO officers have reportedly requested the Ministry of Energy to develop a uniform nationwide policy so that employee benefits are applied consistently across all DISCOs.
Part of Wider Energy Sector Reforms
The reported decision comes as Pakistan continues efforts to:
- Improve the financial sustainability of the power sector.
- Reduce operational expenses.
- Enhance transparency and accountability.
- Strengthen long-term energy sector reforms.
Analysts say such measures could contribute to improving the efficiency of public sector institutions if implemented consistently.
Conclusion
The reported discontinuation of free electricity benefits for senior LESCO officers represents another step in Pakistan's broader energy reform agenda. Whether similar policies are adopted across other power distribution companies remains to be seen as discussions continue at the national level.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available reports. Policies and official decisions may change as further announcements are issued by the relevant authorities.
