Lahore Division

(Re-News Reporting Desk)
The Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) has restored electricity to four residential projects in Bahria Town Lahore after the housing society cleared outstanding dues amounting to Rs682.2 million. Power supply was resumed immediately after the payment was made.

A Lesco spokesperson confirmed that electricity to all four schemes, including the main Bahria Town near Mohlanwal, had been fully restored. The sudden suspension of power a day earlier had caused serious concern among residents, who had announced a protest to be held after Friday prayers.

According to Lesco chief executive Ramzan Butt, the final deadline for bill payment was initially 21 November, later extended to 23 November at the society’s request, with further extensions granted in the following days. However, after the last deadline of 27 November also passed without payment, the company disconnected supply. The main Bahria Town project alone owed more than Rs530 million, he said.

The CEO added that instead of clearing the dues, the housing society approached the court, reportedly to seek relief, but before any ruling could be obtained, Lesco proceeded with the disconnection in line with its regulations.

It is worth noting that in 2024 Lesco had also cut power to Bahria Town over unpaid electricity bills exceeding Rs760 million.

The Punjab government has unveiled a large scale groundwater restoration programme for Lahore, announcing the construction of one thousand recharge wells across the metropolitan region. The initiative aims to address the city’s rapidly falling water table, which has become one of the most serious urban sustainability challenges in Punjab. According to senior officials of the Housing Department, the first pilot recharge well has been completed and is capable of injecting nearly eight thousand gallons of water per day back into the aquifer. At present, Lahore has only three functioning recharge wells. Under the new plan, the government will begin with an initial phase of fifteen newly engineered wells, designed with modern filtration and subsurface injection technology. The Punjab Housing Authority has been directed to allocate dedicated spaces within major public parks. This model integrates green infrastructure with groundwater conservation, ensuring that urban parks contribute to aquifer recharge rather than allowing rainwater to flow into drains and stormwater channels. The authority has also emphasised that existing trees and vegetation will be protected during construction. Secretary Housing Noorul Amin Mengal noted that the project is built around environmental safeguards and long term water stewardship. “Water is a blessing. Preventing its wastage is a shared duty.” He added that all relevant agencies have been instructed to complete the plan on a priority basis. In parallel, the Water and Sanitation Agency Punjab will establish additional recharge points across the province, expanding the scope of the initiative beyond Lahore and creating a more integrated groundwater restoration network. From an urban planning and policy perspective, the project signals an important shift toward sustainable water management in Punjab. Experts note that Lahore’s aquifer has been under severe stress due to urban expansion, over extraction of water, and a decline in natural recharge capacity. By capturing and reinjecting rainwater, the one thousand well programme has the potential to slow the rate of depletion and support long term water security. For major cities in Pakistan that face similar groundwater challenges, this initiative provides an important model for nature based solutions, integrated park and water systems, and climate resilient city planning.