LAHORE: The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has so far failed to bring any visible relief as frequent and increasingly severe power fluctuations have hit several areas of the provincial capital, leaving residents and commercial consumers complaining of damage to refrigerators, washing machines, air-conditioners, energy savers and other electrical appliances. The problem has reportedly become a growing concern in several localities, including Shah Jamal, Shadman, Mozang, Band Road, Mall Road, Gawalmandi and Krishan Nagar, where residents and shopkeepers say sudden voltage fluctuations and unstable power supply have become a routine problem. Consumers complain that fluctuations occur repeatedly, sometimes several times a day, putting expensive electrical and electronic equipment at risk. They say that while power supply interruptions are already a major inconvenience, sudden variations in voltage are causing additional financial losses to households, businesses and small shopkeepers. Shopkeepers at Shadman Market expressed serious concern over the situation, saying commercial consumers were particularly vulnerable because their businesses depend on refrigerators, air-conditioners, washing machines, energy savers and other electrical equipment. Zeeshan and Khaqan Hussain said repeated fluctuations had become a source of anxiety for traders, who fear that costly appliances may be damaged without warning. Similar complaints have emerged from Shah Jamal, where residents and traders have also raised concerns over unstable voltage. Fida Chishti and Ahsan Qadri said consumers were already struggling with rising electricity costs and could not afford additional expenses on repairing or replacing appliances allegedly damaged by fluctuations. Residents in other parts of Lahore, including Mozang, Band Road, Mall Road, Gawalmandi and Krishan Nagar, have also complained about the worsening power situation. They said the issue appeared to be affecting a wider area of the city and required immediate attention from the power utility. Consumers said the problem was particularly serious during periods of high electricity demand and extreme weather, when fluctuations and interruptions could become more frequent. They urged LESCO to inspect the affected feeders, transformers and distribution network to determine the causes of unstable voltage and take corrective measures. The Daily Minute Mirror office has also reportedly faced appliance-related problems amid repeated power fluctuations. According to staff, incidents involving electrical equipment have occurred several times, raising concerns about the impact of unstable voltage on office operations and costly appliances. Residents and traders said they had repeatedly submitted complaints to LESCO offices regarding power fluctuations but claimed that no significant improvement had been witnessed. They said the continued problem had created frustration among consumers, who wanted the power utility to take practical measures instead of merely registering complaints. The consumers demanded that LESCO conduct a technical assessment of areas facing frequent fluctuations and check the condition of transformers, feeders and other components of the distribution system. They also called for an effective complaint mechanism through which consumers could promptly report voltage-related problems. The Daily Minute Mirror contacted relevant LESCO offices to seek their response regarding the complaints, the reported appliance damage and the measures being taken to control power fluctuations, but no response was received until the filing of this report. Consumers have appealed to LESCO authorities to take immediate notice of the situation and ensure a stable and reliable power supply across Lahore, saying that continued fluctuations were not only disrupting daily life but also placing an additional financial burden on households, businesses and commercial consumers.
