Lahore: Acting on directives from Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Punjab Police has escalated its efforts in apprehending individuals involved in electricity theft across the province, as stated in a recent press release.

According to Punjab Police, the intensified crackdown has led to the arrest of 41,995 individuals suspected of electricity theft since January 1. Law enforcement has registered 73,515 cases and completed challans for 48,056 of those cases. The courts have convicted 6,632 offenders. In Lahore alone, 21,483 suspects have been arrested and 21,911 cases have been registered, with challans submitted for 6,553 cases.

Inspector General of Punjab Police, Dr. Usman Anwar, has ordered that operations against electricity theft be conducted impartially and that the rate of challan submissions be increased. He highlighted the importance of apprehending absconders and improving recovery rates in these cases. Dr. Anwar also directed that cases of electricity theft be registered promptly and that the police should adopt a stringent approach in collaboration with the relevant electricity companies. He confirmed that police teams across all districts, including Lahore, are actively supporting electricity companies in the ongoing crackdown, which will persist under a zero-tolerance policy towards those damaging the national treasury.