Lahore Electric Supply Company

Lahore Electric Supply Company
Company typePublic utility
IndustryElectric power
Founded1912; 112 years ago (1912)
FounderLala Harkishen Lal
Headquarters
Lahore
,
Pakistan
Websitelesco.gov.pk

Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) (Urdu: لاہور الیکٹرک سپلائی کمپنی) is a Pakistani government-owned electric distribution company. It is based in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.

The company was founded in 1912 by Lala Harkishen Lal.[1] It supplies electricity to the districts of Lahore, Okara, Sheikhupura, Nankana and Kasur in Pakistan.[2][3] It is owned by the Government of Pakistan.

History

The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) was established in February 1912 by industrialist Lala Harkishen Lal with an initial capital of Rs 5 lakh.[1] Lala Harkishen Lal also served as its first chairman. At that time, it was based in McLeod-Cooper Road, Lahore.[1] In its early years, LESCO expanded its services to 12 towns in various provinces such as the Central Provinces, the United Provinces, Sindh, and the North-West Frontier Province, making it the largest power generator outside the Government Electric Supply Branch by 1941.[1] However, starting from a conflict with the Punjab Government in May 1934, the company faced a series of challenges.[1] The implementation of the Punjab Electricity (Emergency Powers) Act, 1941, further contributed to its decline.[1]

By 1942, LESCO had relinquished all its licenses except for the one in Lahore.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Ahmad, Daniyal (31 December 2023). "A brief history: The rot in our DISCOs". Profit by Pakistan Today. Archived from the original on 1 January 2024.
  2. ^ Khalid Hasnain (12 May 2019). "LESCO (Lahore Electric Supply Company) and FESCO get precedence over other DISCOS (Distribution Companies) in system upgrade". Dawn (newspaper). Archived from the original on 23 February 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  3. ^ "LESCO - History". lesco.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 29 June 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2020.