Islamabad, 31 July, 2026(Kamran Raja): The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO), under the vision of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and the leadership of Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, has achieved remarkable financial and administrative improvements over the past two years, setting a significant example of successful reforms in Pakistan’s power sector. During this period, LESCO reduced its financial losses from PKR 79 billion to approximately PKR 21 billion, resulting in a financial improvement of more than PKR 58 billion for the national exchequer. The company also achieved a historic milestone in recovery by recording 101.05% recovery for the first time, surpassing the target set by NEPRA. LESCO also recorded a substantial reduction in line losses. Over the past two years, line losses declined from 15.8% to 11.86%, representing a reduction of nearly four percentage points—the largest improvement ever achieved by any electricity distribution company (DISCO) in Pakistan’s history. With annual revenues exceeding PKR 1 trillion, every one percent reduction in line losses at LESCO translates into an estimated PKR 10 billion in financial gains.
These achievements are the result of a professional Board of Directors, modern management systems, effective oversight, administrative autonomy, digitalization of billing and recovery systems, decisive action against electricity theft, and continuous performance monitoring. Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari said that significant results can be achieved through continuous monitoring, data-driven decision-making, and effective accountability. He noted that the ongoing monitoring of the performance, line losses, and recovery of all DISCOs is contributing to improvements across the power sector. He further stated that empowered management, effective governance, and a depoliticized administrative framework are the foundation for improving the financial health of the power sector. LESCO’s performance clearly demonstrates that institutional reforms can play a vital role in significantly reducing the burden of circular debt.
The Federal Minister added that LESCO’s success is a testament to the effectiveness of the government’s ongoing power sector reforms and provides a practical model for other electricity distribution companies. The government intends to replicate this reform model across other DISCOs to further enhance the performance, financial sustainability, and quality of public service throughout the power sector.