In a decisive move to curb mounting receivables in multi-tenant properties, the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) Commercial Operations Directorate has issued strict directives to all Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs) to disconnect the primary electricity supply of plazas, commercial complexes, and apartment towers where occupants hold chronic unpaid arrears.
Why Commercial Plazas Are Under Scrutiny
Investigations across high-density shopping hubs in Gulberg, DHA commercial zones, Mall Road, Hall Road, and Azam Cloth Market revealed extensive defaults totaling hundreds of millions of rupees. Many plaza administrations collect monthly electricity charges from tenants but fail to remit the funds to LESCO, allowing arrears to accumulate on master bulk meters.
Under the newly enforced standard operating procedure (SOP), LESCO will no longer issue endless reminder notices. If an individual or bulk account remains delinquent for more than two consecutive billing cycles, field squads are authorized to remove service drop cables and confiscate transformer fuses.
Key Criteria for Immediate Disconnection:
- Overdue Balance: Cumulative arrears exceeding Rs25,000 pending for >30 days.
- Bounced Cheques: Dishonored payment instruments submitted by commercial consumers.
- Unsettled Detection Charges: Unpaid penalties issued for unauthorized load extension or meter tampering.
- Shared Transformer Defaults: Failure of plaza management to settle bulk-supply invoices.
How to Avoid Disconnection: Options for Consumers
If you are facing financial difficulties or manage a commercial property with pending dues, LESCO regulations provide legitimate pathways to avoid disconnection and structure payments:
- Apply for Official Installments (Asan Qist): SDOs have authority to split bills up to Rs50,000 into 3 monthly installments, while Executive Engineers (XENs) can approve installments up to Rs200,000. Superintending Engineers (SEs) can approve higher amounts.
- Due Date Extension: Consumers can request a one-time 3-to-5-day due date extension at their sub-divisional office without incurring late payment surcharges if requested prior to the billing due date.
- Separate Independent Metering: Commercial shop owners should apply for individual sub-connections under LESCO's commercial tariff category to insulate themselves from collective plaza defaults.
Step-by-Step Reconnection Procedure
If your connection has already been disconnected due to non-payment, follow these exact steps to restore power promptly:
- Pay Full Amount Online or at Bank: Pay the outstanding balance along with the Late Payment Surcharge (LPS) using any supported 1Bill digital channel.
- Obtain the Reconnection Order (RCO): Visit your designated sub-divisional office with the paid receipt and request an RCO voucher (standard domestic RCO fee is Rs. 1,000–2,500 depending on single/three-phase status).
- Hand Over Job Order to Field Line Staff: Once the SDO signs the RCO, the field line gang is dispatched to re-install your meter and re-energize the drop wire within 24 hours.
Relevant LESCO Consumer Tools & Guides
LESCO Payment Methods & Installment Guide
How to apply for official bill installments at your local SDO office.
Check Your Bill Payment Status Online
Verify whether your payment has updated on the official PITC server.
LESCO Complaint Helpline & Contact Directory
Emergency telephone numbers and contacts for SDO and XEN offices.
Frequently Asked Questions on This Topic
Can LESCO disconnect an entire building if only some tenants are defaulting?
Yes. Where a commercial building or plaza operates on a dedicated bulk-supply transformer or shared master connection, non-payment of bulk charges empowers LESCO to sever the primary feeder connection until dues are cleared.
How can an honest tenant in a shared plaza protect their connection?
Tenants should demand individual sub-meters registered directly with LESCO under separate 14-digit reference numbers rather than paying unverified lump-sum amounts to private plaza management.
What is the reconnection procedure after payment of defaulted dues?
Upon payment of all arrears plus the official Reconnection Fee (RCO fee), the consumer must present the stamped bank receipt to the SDO office, which will issue a job order to the line staff within 24 hours.
Sources & Regulatory References:
- 24NewsHD: LESCO Commercial Directorate circular to all sub-divisional offices.
- Daily Jang Lahore: Special enforcement drive on multi-story commercial buildings and plazas.
Disclaimer: This article is produced for consumer informational purposes. All regulatory policy remains subject to official gazette notifications issued by NEPRA and the Ministry of Energy.