LAHORE DIVISION

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan Lahore Electric Supply Company has recorded a major improvement in its financial and operational performance by reducing its NEPRA related losses from Rs 79 billion to approximately Rs 21 billion over the past two years. The reduction generated savings of more than Rs 58 billion for the national exchequer, according to a statement issued by the Power Division. During the same period, LESCO’s electricity bill recovery rate increased to 101.05 percent. The company exceeded the 100 percent regulatory benchmark set by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority for the first time. A recovery rate above 100 percent indicates that the company collected payments against current electricity bills as well as a portion of previously outstanding dues. The improvement is expected to strengthen LESCO’s financial position and reduce liquidity pressure within the power sector. The Power Division said LESCO’s transmission and distribution losses also declined from 15.8 percent to 11.86 percent, representing a reduction of nearly four percentage points within two years. According to the statement, this was the largest reduction in losses achieved by any electricity distribution company in Pakistan over a two year period. Distribution losses refer to electricity supplied to a company’s network that is not fully converted into billed and collected revenue. Such losses may result from outdated infrastructure, technical faults, inaccurate metering, electricity theft and weaknesses in billing or recovery systems. The improvement in LESCO’s performance indicates progress in action against electricity theft, replacement of defective equipment, better monitoring of feeders, accurate billing and the recovery of outstanding payments. Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari said LESCO’s performance demonstrated that consistent oversight and effective monitoring based on reliable data could produce positive results. He said the company’s progress showed that electricity distribution companies could improve their financial and operational performance when management decisions were supported by regular monitoring and measurable performance indicators. The Power Division said the results confirmed that empowered management, continuous oversight and non political governance could significantly improve the financial health of Pakistan’s electricity sector. Low recovery rates and high distribution losses are considered major contributors to the accumulation of circular debt. When distribution companies fail to recover the full cost of electricity supplied to consumers, the resulting financial shortfall affects payments across the entire power supply chain. Higher recoveries and lower losses at LESCO could help reduce pressure on circular debt, improve payments to electricity producers and limit the need for additional financial support from the government. The Power Division said LESCO’s performance had also strengthened the case for introducing similar administrative, technical and governance reforms at other electricity distribution companies. Officials believe that continuous monitoring, action against electricity theft, modern metering systems, accurate consumer classification and timely recovery of outstanding bills could enable other distribution companies to achieve similar reductions in financial losses.

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan Lahore Development Authority Director General Tahir Farooq conducted a detailed visit to the Data Darbar expansion project and the Bhatti Chowk underpass to review arrangements for public safety and the facilitation of pilgrims ahead of the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain and the annual Urs of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh Ali Hajveri. During the visit, he inspected ongoing development activities, safety arrangements and traffic management measures around the project sites. TEPA Chief Engineer Iqrar Hussain and the project director briefed the LDA director general on the progress of the schemes, construction activities and measures being taken to ensure public safety. Farooq directed officials to strictly enforce all safety protocols around the development sites so that residents and pilgrims do not face inconvenience or any potential risk. He ordered that all construction activities linked to the projects be temporarily suspended during the Chehlum and Urs events to prevent disruption to public movement and provide a safe environment for visitors. The LDA director general also instructed the authorities to install protective sheets, adequate lighting, warning signs, barriers and other safety equipment around the construction zones. He inspected the service roads surrounding the Bhatti Chowk underpass and reviewed measures aimed at maintaining smooth traffic flow in the area. Farooq further directed officials to make special drainage arrangements in view of possible rainfall so that pilgrims and commuters do not face difficulties during any emergency situation. He instructed the TEPA chief engineer to ensure that all safety measures were implemented in accordance with the approved traffic and route plans. Special lighting arrangements were also ordered around the development sites during nighttime. The LDA director general said the authority would extend all possible cooperation to event organisers, relevant departments and pilgrims to ensure a safe, organised and smooth travel environment during the religious gatherings.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The Lahore High Court has delivered a landmark judgment in a rent dispute, ruling that no tenant can be lawfully evicted without being provided a meaningful opportunity to defend their case. The court observed that depriving a citizen of their legal right of defence on mere technical grounds is contrary to the constitutional guarantee of a fair trial and the principles of natural justice. Justice Muzammil Akhtar Shabbir issued the 14-page detailed judgment while deciding a constitutional petition filed by Muhammad Waseem Tahir. The court set aside the Rent Tribunal's eviction order and directed that the matter be reheard on its merits. The judgment held that the petitioner's Leave to Contest application could not be dismissed solely on the grounds of delay, clarifying that the limitation period begins from the first date of hearing fixed by the court, rather than from the date the eviction notice is served on the tenant. The court further observed that the Rent Tribunal acted hastily by dismissing both the application for restoration of attendance and the Leave to Contest application without properly examining the legal merits. As a result, the petitioner was denied an effective opportunity to defend himself. The High Court ruled that an eviction order cannot be sustained under such circumstances, as every litigant is entitled to a fair and impartial hearing. The Lahore High Court directed the Rent Tribunal to decide the pending applications, including the restoration plea, within one month, while ordering that the main eviction petition be decided within four months in accordance with the law. The judgment also emphasized that justice in rent litigation can only be ensured when both parties are given a full opportunity to present their arguments and produce evidence before the court. Legal experts believe the ruling will serve as an important judicial precedent for rent disputes under Punjab's tenancy laws. The judgment reinforces the principle that Rent Tribunals must decide cases on their merits, evidence, and the principles of fair hearing, rather than denying a party's right of defence on technical or procedural grounds.