Lahore: Following the directives of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Police, led by IG Dr. Usman Anwar, has ramped up actions against power theft throughout the province, leading to thousands of arrests and the registration of numerous cases.

According to Punjab Police, the intensified crackdown has resulted in 38,786 arrests and 70,705 cases registered against individuals accused of power theft since the beginning of the year. The focus has been particularly sharp in Lahore, where 20,457 suspects have been apprehended, and over 20,775 cases have been filed. The police have already completed and submitted challans for 46,463 of these cases across the province.

IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar has called for an increase in the challaning ratio and a more robust approach in arresting proclaimed offenders involved in power theft. He stressed the importance of enhancing the recovery rate and ensuring that cases are registered promptly and efficiently. Dr. Anwar has mandated a zero-tolerance policy in collaboration with electricity companies to deter future incidents and underscored continued stringent measures against those damaging the national treasury.