lesco high alert
|

LESCO on high alert; urges public to follow electrical safety measures during monsoon

Lahore: Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Muhammad Ramzan Butt, has expressed deep sorrow over recent electricity-related incidents and reaffirmed that the protection of human life remains the company’s highest priority. He extended heartfelt condolences to the families affected by these unfortunate incidents and urged the public to strictly observe electrical safety precautions during the ongoing monsoon season.

According to the LESCO spokesperson, a tragic incident occurred in the Islampura area where a citizen lost his life after receiving an electric shock near a streetlight pole during rainfall. Preliminary investigations revealed that an illegal electricity connection had been obtained through a damaged PVC service cable, allowing leakage current to energize the streetlight pole and resulting in the fatal accident.
In another incident reported in the Sitara Colony Sub-Division, electricity was found leaking into a shop’s metal shed. Upon receiving the complaint, LESCO immediately shut down the relevant feeder and dispatched emergency teams to the site. Inspection confirmed that LESCO’s distribution system and service wires were in proper condition, while the leakage originated from the consumer’s own service wire joint, which had come into contact with the metal shed. The fault was promptly rectified, and the area was declared safe.
In light of the ongoing monsoon rains across Lahore and other parts of the LESCO region, the company’s field staff, Power Distribution Control (PDC), Control Room, and operational officers have been placed on high alert under the directions of CEO Engineer Muhammad Ramzan Butt. LESCO is continuously monitoring the power distribution network to ensure the earliest possible restoration of electricity wherever weather-related faults occur.
The spokesperson added that once weather conditions permit, LESCO teams immediately begin repair work while strictly following all safety protocols. Recently, after an 11kV feeder near Qaid-e-Azam Industrial Area, Kacha Jail Road was affected due to adverse weather conditions, emergency teams swiftly reached the site, isolated the feeder for safety, and initiated restoration work. Senior officers remained present in the field to supervise operations and ensure that power supply was restored to consumers in the shortest possible time.
CEO Engineer Muhammad Ramzan Butt has directed all field personnel to perform their duties using complete personal protective equipment (PPE) and in accordance with established safety procedures. He also appealed to citizens to avoid illegal electricity connections, unsafe wiring, and substandard electrical installations, particularly during the rainy season.
The public is strongly advised to stay away from electric poles, streetlights, broken or hanging wires, metal sheds, and other electrical installations during rainfall or in waterlogged areas. In case of any emergency or electricity-related hazard, citizens should immediately contact their nearest LESCO office or call the LESCO Helpline 118.
LESCO remains fully committed to ensuring public safety and maintaining a reliable power supply throughout the monsoon season through timely response, continuous monitoring, and coordinated field operations.

Similar Posts

  • | |

    US waives $20,000 visa bond for Pakistanis

    Pakistan has been excluded from the United States’ newly permanent visa bond programme, meaning Pakistani applicants will not be required to deposit a refundable financial guarantee of up to $20,000 when applying for certain US visitor visas. The United States has officially made its 2025 Visa Bond Pilot Program a permanent policy. Under the programme, nationals of selected countries applying for business or tourist visas must provide a refundable financial bond ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 as part of the visa application process. According to international reports, the revised policy increases the maximum refundable bond amount from $15,000 to $20,000 for eligible applicants from countries included in the programme. The list reportedly includes around 50 countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal, and several African nations. Pakistan is not included in the list of countries subject to the visa bond requirement. Afghanistan, India, and Iran are also excluded from the programme. As a result, Pakistani citizens applying for US visitor visas will continue to follow the standard visa application process without the additional refundable financial guarantee required under the permanent visa bond policy.

  • |

    Lahore family death mystery solved, Police reveal …

    LAHORE: Police have claimed to have solved the mystery surrounding the deaths of a US national and her three children in a private housing society in Lahore, saying forensic evidence indicates the woman fatally poisoned her children before taking her own life. Addressing a press conference on Friday, Lahore DIG Investigation Zeeshan Raza said forensic findings and the investigation suggest the woman mixed potassium cyanide into ice cream and gave it to her three children on July 17 before consuming the poisoned dessert herself. According to investigators, the woman had recently arrived in Lahore from the United States with her husband and children. Police said the investigation revealed she had been suffering from mental health problems and had allegedly searched online for methods of suicide before the incident. The DIG further stated that investigators believe the woman also attempted to serve the poisoned ice cream to her husband, but he did not consume it. Police said the investigation included forensic analysis, digital evidence and interviews with family members. Authorities also conducted a polygraph examination of the husband as part of the inquiry before concluding that he was not involved in the deaths. During the investigation, police traced the source of the chemical allegedly used in the incident. Officials said the woman had arranged for the parcel containing the chemical to be delivered to a friend’s residence instead of her own address. As part of the probe, police arrested two additional suspects, including the owner of an online chemical business and a delivery rider. Investigators allege the shop owner illegally sold potassium cyanide online and received Rs138,540 for the transaction. Police said both suspects will face legal proceedings for their alleged role in supplying the hazardous chemical. Investigators added that a comprehensive case file is being prepared in coordination with prosecutors to ensure the accused are prosecuted under the relevant laws. The case shocked the country after the woman and her three children were found dead under mysterious circumstances earlier this month. Authorities say the investigation relied on forensic evidence and digital records to reconstruct the sequence of events. The incident has also renewed concerns about the online sale of highly toxic chemicals and highlighted the importance of stronger oversight, as well as greater awareness and access to mental health support for individuals experiencing severe psychological distress.

  • | |

    Rawalakot election possible on August 20 or 21 if …

    Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal has said that elections in Rawalakot could be held on August 20 or 21 if the ongoing protest is resolved within the next three to four days. Speaking to the media in Muzaffarabad, Mughal said polling in Bagh and Haveli was scheduled to take place first due to security concerns. He said security personnel had already arrived in the two districts, while polling material was being transported under the supervision of the military. He added that eight security personnel would be deployed at each highly sensitive polling station to ensure the safety of voters and election staff. The chief election commissioner said efforts were also under way to restore internet services in Bagh and Haveli on August 9 and 10. Mughal said the Election Commission expected to be in a position to announce the polling date for Rawalakot within the next seven days. However, the final schedule would depend on the resolution of the ongoing protest. “If the protest is resolved within three or four days, elections in Rawalakot can be held on August 20 or 21,” he said. Responding to allegations made by political leaders, Mughal said the Election Commission could not engage in a war of words with politicians. He said the commission would provide the facts once the electoral process had been completed and would determine whether any irregularities had occurred and who was responsible.

  • |

    Cambridge to review hiring after Arday resignation

    The University of Cambridge has announced a review of its procedures for appointing senior academics following the resignation of Professor Jason Arday amid allegations of plagiarism and questions surrounding parts of his academic record. Cambridge said an ongoing investigation into Arday’s qualifications, previous appointments and tenure would inform the wider review of how senior academic positions are filled. Arday, a professor of sociology of education and fellow of Jesus College, stepped down after allegations emerged concerning his academic work and claims made about his professional background. He has rejected accusations of deliberate plagiarism and denied fabricating his achievements. The controversy has prompted calls from academics for an independent investigation into how Arday was appointed to a senior position at one of the world’s most prestigious universities. Priyamvada Gopal, a Cambridge professor who is among those calling for an independent inquiry, said the controversy had caused significant reputational damage to the university. She argued that Cambridge should not investigate itself and urged the involvement of academics from outside the institution. Cambridge said it was aware of the concerns surrounding the case and would continue examining the circumstances of Arday’s appointment and tenure. Jesus College welcomed the university’s decision to review its appointment procedures. The college said Arday’s position as a fellow depended on his university appointment and that it relied on Cambridge to verify academic credentials. The University of Glasgow, where Arday served as Professor of Sociology of Education from January 2022 to March 2023, has also launched its own review. The university said the review would establish the facts surrounding his appointment and identify lessons for the future. The controversy began after US researcher Nathan Cofnas raised allegations that sections of Arday’s PhD dissertation had been copied from earlier academic works. Liverpool John Moores University, which awarded Arday his doctorate, said it had investigated the plagiarism allegations last year and rejected them. The university maintained that position and said his PhD remains valid. Further questions have since been raised about some of Arday’s academic publications and claims on his CV. Some institutions where he reportedly claimed to have held academic positions have denied that he occupied those roles. Arday has acknowledged errors in his academic work but denied intentionally plagiarising material. He has suggested that autism and inadequate supervision during the early stages of his academic career may have contributed to mistakes. He has also rejected allegations that he fabricated his personal achievements and has previously argued that some of the criticism directed at him was racially motivated. The controversy has also raised questions about how allegations against Arday were handled. Times Higher Education reporter Jack Grove was investigated by the Metropolitan Police following a complaint of harassment after he contacted Arday about the plagiarism allegations. The investigation was later closed. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley subsequently apologised and said the complaint should have been screened out at an earlier stage. Attention has also turned to Arday’s forthcoming memoir, “Great and Unfortunate Things”, which is scheduled for publication next week. Arday previously claimed in an interview that he had received a £1.4 million advance for the memoir, although he did not specify the currency. Publishing industry figures have questioned the size of the alleged payment. Publisher Simon & Schuster has said it intends to proceed with publication. Reports have also identified differences between an earlier proposal for the memoir and the final manuscript, including changes to the timing and description of some events in Arday’s life.

  • | |

    Iran pressures Gulf allies to rein in Trump, threa…

    Iran has launched an intensive diplomatic campaign targeting Gulf states, warning them directly that Tehran will strike their oil, power and water facilities unless they persuade President Donald Trump to halt US military action and pursue a negotiated end to the war instead. According to a senior Iranian official, the warning covers potential attacks on energy facilities, oil fields, refineries, electricity grids, water systems, transport networks and other strategic infrastructure belonging to Washington’s closest Arab partners in the region. The message formed part of a wider Iranian strategy to discourage further American military action by raising the specter of significant economic damage across the Gulf. Sources familiar with the matter said the warning traveled through a wave of high level diplomatic contacts following Trump’s July 28 threat to strike Iran’s energy network and broader infrastructure. Two senior Iranian officials, two Gulf sources and a senior regional diplomat, all speaking on condition of anonymity given the sensitivity of the discussions, said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi held conversations with his Saudi, Turkish and Qatari counterparts as well as Pakistan’s army chief. The senior diplomat said Araqchi pressed Washington’s Gulf allies to use their influence with Trump to head off renewed strikes, cautioning that any attack on Iran would trigger retaliation against American assets and critical infrastructure throughout the Gulf. The diplomat said Araqchi delivered a consistent message in each conversation, expressing readiness to retaliate while stressing that a diplomatic solution offers the best chance of avoiding wider regional destruction. One Gulf source described the Iranian position as unambiguous, saying Tehran made clear that any American strike on Iranian infrastructure would draw retaliation against Gulf energy facilities and other regional targets. The campaign illustrates how Iran is attempting to convert Gulf vulnerability into diplomatic leverage, presenting regional governments with the prospect that a renewed confrontation between Washington and Tehran could put the infrastructure their economies depend on directly at risk. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman subsequently spoke with Trump directly, urging him to hold off on military action, return to the negotiating table, pursue a ceasefire and seek a diplomatic resolution, according to the senior diplomat and Gulf sources. Another Gulf source said the warning was meant for every Gulf state but traveled primarily through Saudi Arabia and Qatar, both of which have rebuilt ties with Iran in recent years after a long period of regional rivalry. Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia have each urged Washington to resume talks with Tehran and prevent a fresh round of conflict, with Iran cautioning that further strikes could turn the region into what one Iranian official called a fireball. On August 2, Trump said he had agreed to call off a planned attack on Iran, provided a deal could be reached quickly. Concerns over wider escalation A Gulf source said Saudi Arabia believes additional escalation would only cause further destruction, explaining why Riyadh pushed Trump to give diplomacy more room to work. At the same time, Saudi officials made clear the kingdom would defend itself if directly threatened, with a second Gulf source saying Riyadh warned that any strike on Saudi territory would draw a military response of its own. Ali Shihabi, a Saudi analyst with ties to the royal court, said the kingdom’s assessment holds that further escalation is unlikely to produce the outcome Washington wants. He said Saudi officials believe a mix of proportionate military responses combined with sustained pressure on Iran around the Strait of Hormuz offers the most realistic route toward a workable diplomatic settlement. Iran’s clerical leadership has repeatedly called for the closure of US military bases across the Gulf and urged Gulf Arab states to stop sharing intelligence with Washington, which Tehran believes has enabled strikes against Iranian targets. Shihabi noted that memories of the September 2019 drone and missile strikes on Saudi Arabia’s Abqaiq and Khurais oil facilities still shape regional thinking, since that attack temporarily cut more than half the kingdom’s crude output and exposed how vulnerable Gulf energy infrastructure remains. A separate Iranian official reiterated that any damage inflicted on Iran would be met with far greater retaliation, again citing power grids and refineries among potential targets. From Tehran’s perspective, the senior Iranian official said, Trump now confronts two difficult options: escalate a conflict that risks engulfing the wider Gulf and disrupting global energy markets, or accept a negotiated settlement that falls short of the decisive win Washington has sought. The senior regional diplomat identified Washington’s reluctance to let Tehran claim any form of victory as one of the central obstacles blocking an agreement, noting that American officials want tangible proof they prevailed in the conflict.

  • |

    Saudi must recognise Israel, says Trump

    US President Donald Trump has reaffirmed that Saudi Arabia must establish diplomatic relations with Israel before Washington moves ahead with a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with the kingdom. Speaking at the White House on Friday, Trump said the proposed nuclear partnership remains linked to Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords, the US-backed agreements that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states. Trump dismissed suggestions that the US Department of Energy had announced the nuclear deal without the Israel-related condition. He said there had been no misunderstanding within his administration and insisted the requirement had always been part of the discussions. “I have always said that Saudi Arabia must become part of the Abraham Accords for the deal to move forward,” Trump told reporters, adding that the accords had been successful and that the time had come for Riyadh to join them. The latest remarks came just days after the United States and Saudi Arabia signed a framework for cooperation on a civilian nuclear programme. While the initial announcement focused on energy cooperation and economic benefits, Trump later clarified that the agreement would only proceed if Saudi Arabia formally normalized ties with Israel. Saudi Arabia has not officially responded to Trump’s latest comments. However, the kingdom has consistently maintained that it will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel until meaningful progress is made toward the creation of an independent Palestinian state. Israeli leaders have repeatedly rejected international calls for a Palestinian state under current conditions. The proposed agreement is expected to create a long-term partnership between the two countries in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. It would involve the transfer of American technology, technical expertise and investment aimed at supporting Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear programme. Trump also rejected reports suggesting the agreement would allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium domestically. He stressed that no uranium enrichment would be permitted under the arrangement. US officials have argued that the partnership is designed to strengthen bilateral relations while ensuring strict oversight of nuclear activities. They say American companies will play a central role in developing the programme, allowing Washington to maintain close monitoring and prevent nuclear proliferation.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *