Major Scandal: Pakistan Railways Hit by Rs. 110 Million Power Bill Fraud

A major financial irregularity has surfaced in Pakistan Railways as an internal inquiry confirmed that more than Rs. 110 million in bogus electricity payments. According to an inquiry report, payments were made in 2023 against fake residential allotments and inflated billing. The report found that the Lahore Electric Supply Company issued unjustified and consolidated electricity bills for three Railway colonies despite having installed individual meters in each quarter. Investigators said the collective bills included excessive fixed charges and unexplained adjustments that resulted in fraudulent overbilling. The findings have been forwarded to Pakistan Railways Chief Executive Officer Aamir Ali Baloch. The report revealed that the Electrical Department of the Railway Workshops Division paid LESCO without any verification. Officials tasked with reviewing the bills allegedly cleared the payments without checking consumption data or meter readings, causing heavy financial losses. Negligence was specifically attributed to the Divisional Electrical Engineer Works, the Senior Electrical Engineer Workshops and the wireman. The report noted these officials had been serving in the same posts for years, despite Railways having a rotation policy that was not implemented. The Vigilance Directorate has recommended strict departmental action against all responsible officers. It has also urged immediate enforcement of the rotation policy to prevent similar fraud in the future.