LESCO officials accused of shifting blame after Khawaja Asif highlights transformer issue

A fresh controversy has emerged in Pattoki after Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif highlighted incompetence in the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) through a post on X regarding the replacement of a transformer after payment to WAPDA officials.

According to reports, LESCO City officers allegedly attempted to conceal their own negligence by placing responsibility on a workshop mechanic and a private citizen. Following the minister's remarks, a case was registered in connection with the transformer replacement, but no WAPDA or LESCO employee was named in the First Information Report (FIR).

Instead, the blame was shifted to a private individual identified as Shabbir. Police subsequently arrested the man after he was named in the FIR.

The FIR also held several villagers responsible in the matter. However, according to details of the case, the transformer had been removed, repaired and reinstalled by Shabbir on the request of local residents.

The development has raised questions over the handling of the case and the exclusion of any WAPDA officials from the investigation, despite allegations surrounding the transformer replacement. The incident gained attention after Khawaja Asif publicly criticized LESCO's performance and highlighted the issue on social media.

The matter is likely to draw further scrutiny as authorities examine the circumstances surrounding the transformer repair and the registration of the case.