LESCO Transformer Bribe Khwaja Asif Pakistan Electricity Corruption — LESCO officials suspended after Defence Minister Khawaja Asif raised the Rs80,000 transformer bribe allegation in a Punjab village.

LESCO Suspends Three Officials Over Rs80,000 Transformer Bribe Allegation After Defence Minister’s Complaint

Three LESCO Officials Face Action After Rs80,000 Transformer Bribe Allegation Shakes Pakistan's Power Sector

By Desk Assistant Last updated Jun 1, 2026

LESCO – (Web Desk) – LESCO has suspended three officials following a serious Rs80,000 Transformer Bribe Allegation raised by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. The minister claimed that villagers were forced to pay the amount for a transformer repair, and no receipt was ever issued.

According to Asif, a transformer in his domestic worker’s village had burned out. He contacted a former LESCO chief executive for help. After the repair was done, workers collected Rs80,000 from villagers through donations but refused to give any official receipt.

The Executive Engineer of LESCO’s Phool Nagar Division confirmed the suspensions. Two linemen and one line superintendent have been removed from duty. An official inquiry is now underway against all those involved.

The XEN also explained that a 200-kilowatt transformer had burned out. LESCO was replacing it with a 100-kilowatt unit. However, the minister’s coordinator and some villagers reportedly stopped the team from completing the installation.

میرے گھریلو ملازم کے گاؤں میں ٹرانسفارمر کل جل گیا۔ لیسکو کے ایک پرانے مہربان ceo کو فون کیا کے کسی کو فون کریں اور مہربانی فرمائیں ۔ ملازمین نے ٹرانسفارمر مرمت کردیا اور 80000روپے لیے اور مرمت کردیا۔ گاؤں والوں نے چندہ جمع کرکے لیسکو کے ملازمین کو ادا کردیا۔ رسید کسی نے نہیں دی۔…

— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) May 30, 2026

LESCO sources said the money was collected by a private individual named Shabbir. They claimed he had no official connection with the power company. However, no evidence was provided to support this claim during the field visit.

Federal Power Minister Awais Leghari confirmed that action had been taken following Khawaja Asif’s public complaint. He praised the minister for speaking out and called it a strong example of self-accountability within the government.

Leghari also stressed that public accountability is important at every level. He welcomed questions from all corners, including from sitting cabinet members. He said such transparency helps improve the overall performance of state institutions.

This case has once again highlighted the widespread corruption in Pakistan’s electricity sector. Ordinary citizens regularly face illegal charges for transformer repairs. The amount demanded often varies from area to area, ranging from Rs1,000 to Rs2,000 per household.