Khawaja Asif Alleges LESCO Staff Took Rs 80,000 for Transformer Repair Without Issuing Receipt

ISLAMABAD: Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has alleged that employees of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) charged villagers Rs 80,000 for repairing a burnt transformer without issuing any official receipt, raising concerns about alleged corruption and accountability within the power utility.

In a message shared on X, Asif stated that the transformer in his domestic employee's village had completely burned out. He said he contacted an old kind-hearted LESCO chief executive officer and said, please call someone and have it fixed.

According to the Minister, LESCO employees subsequently repaired the transformer and charged Rs. 80,000 for the repair.  He wrote that the villagers collected donations and paid the LESCO employees but no receipt was issued to anyone. “You can imagine the rest,” he expressed his surprise.

He raised question that this is the state of affairs when a former power minister is an advocate and also a member of the current cabinet, yet even on his recommendation, they don't shy away from importing. “What must it be like for the common consumer?”  he asked.

The Minister said that the payment was made properly in cash but LESCO is denying it based on the receipt. The allegations have sparked debate on social media, with many users calling for an inquiry into the matter and greater transparency in utility operations. LESCO has yet to issue a detailed public response to the minister's claims.