Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has raised serious concerns about alleged corruption within the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO).
He described a situation where corrupt practices have reportedly become deeply rooted within the organization.
His remarks have triggered renewed debate about transparency in Pakistan’s power distribution system.
Moreover, he suggested that even senior officials are not immune to questionable practices within the system.
Complaint Shared on Social Media Platform
Khawaja Asif shared his experience through a public post on a social media platform.
He explained that he contacted the LESCO Chief Executive Officer regarding a damaged transformer in a village linked to one of his staff members.
According to his account, he requested that LESCO employees be sent to repair the faulty transformer.
However, the situation that followed raised concerns about billing practices and accountability.
Alleged Payment Without Receipt
Khawaja Asif stated that LESCO employees charged Rs80,000 for the repair work.
He further claimed that no official receipt was issued for the payment.
This detail formed a key part of his concern about transparency within the system.
The minister questioned the integrity of such practices and highlighted the absence of proper documentation.
Moreover, he implied that such actions reflect broader systemic issues rather than isolated incidents.
Concerns Over Institutional Accountability
The minister emphasized that the experience raised serious questions about accountability.
He stated that if such practices could occur even in his case, ordinary citizens may face greater challenges.
He said, “This is the state of affairs that the company employees showed no regard even for me, who was the minister of water and power, and is presently the country’s defence minister,”.
He added that if employees could act in this manner, it raises concerns about their treatment of the general public.
This statement underscores concerns about transparency and governance in public utility services.
Broader Debate on Power Sector Governance
The incident has renewed discussion about governance in Pakistan’s electricity distribution companies.
LESCO, like other regional power utilities, plays a key role in electricity supply and maintenance.
However, recurring allegations of inefficiency and irregular practices continue to raise public concern.
As a result, citizens often question billing transparency and service accountability in the sector.
Moreover, such incidents highlight the need for stronger monitoring and audit systems.
Public Reaction and Accountability Demands
The remarks have generated public attention and discussion across social platforms.
Many users echoed concerns about corruption in service delivery systems.
At the same time, others called for institutional reforms to improve transparency.
Therefore, the issue has moved beyond a single incident and entered broader policy discussion.
Conclusion
Khawaja Asif’s statement has brought renewed focus to alleged corruption practices within LESCO.
His experience has raised concerns about transparency, billing procedures, and accountability in public service institutions.
While the claims highlight systemic issues, they also underline the need for stronger governance mechanisms.
Ultimately, the discussion reflects growing public demand for cleaner and more transparent utility services in Pakistan.
