The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has reportedly withdrawn the long-standing free electricity facility for its officers in Grades 18 to 20, requiring them to pay their electricity bills for the first time in nearly 30 years. The reported decision marks a major change in employee benefits as the government continues efforts to reform the country’s power sector.
According to sources within LESCO, the free electricity benefit had been available to senior officers for around three decades. Under the previous policy, Grade 18 officers were entitled to 6,000 free electricity units annually, Grade 19 officers received up to 8,000 units, while Grade 20 officers were provided with 10,000 free units each year.
With the reported withdrawal of the facility, affected officers will now have to pay their electricity bills like other consumers. The move is seen as part of broader efforts to reduce operational costs and improve financial discipline across the country’s electricity distribution sector.
Sources also revealed that officers in several other power distribution companies (DISCOs) have secured stay orders from courts, allowing them to continue receiving free electricity despite similar policy changes. As a result, different companies are currently operating under different rules regarding employee electricity benefits.
LESCO officers have reportedly questioned why employees in other DISCOs continue to receive the facility while it has been withdrawn in their organization. They argued that such differences create inequality within the power sector and called for a fair and consistent approach for all electricity distribution companies.
The officers have urged the Ministry of Energy to introduce a uniform nationwide policy by abolishing the free electricity benefit across all DISCOs rather than allowing separate rules for different organizations. They believe a single policy would ensure equal treatment for employees throughout the sector.
The reported decision comes as the government continues implementing reforms aimed at reducing financial losses and improving the performance of the energy sector. Authorities have been working on measures to control costs, improve efficiency and address challenges facing power distribution companies.
However, neither the Ministry of Energy nor LESCO had issued an official statement confirming the reported policy change at the time this report was filed. Further clarification is expected as discussions over employee benefits and broader power sector reforms continue.
Also read: LESCO Increases Charges for New Electricity Connections
