The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has reportedly been cutting internet and telecom infrastructure cables across various areas of Lahore without prior notice or official authorization. The unannounced activity has resulted in severe service disruptions, affecting both corporate and retail clients who rely on consistent connectivity for daily operations. Areas including Garden Town, Johar Town, Gulberg, Cavalry Ground, and Walton Road have been among the most affected, with internet and digital communication services facing extended outages. These disruptions have caused significant operational and financial challenges for businesses and individuals who depend on reliable access to broadband and telecom networks.
According to reports from industry representatives, LESCO’s actions stem from its demand for a 400 percent increase in Right of Way (RoW) charges for telecom infrastructure installed on utility poles. The company has also required telecom operators such as PTCL and NTC to sign its own undertaking letters containing terms inconsistent with the Government of Pakistan’s approved RoW Policy of 2020. The move has been criticized by industry associations and digital infrastructure providers, who argue that LESCO’s unilateral impositions and field activities undermine national efforts to expand digital access under the Prime Minister’s Digital Pakistan vision.
In response to these developments, the Pakistan Telecommunication Access Providers Association (PTAPA) has formally written to the LESCO Chief Executive Officer, the PTA Chairman, the Secretary of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoIT), the Deputy Commissioner Lahore, and the Zonal Director at PTA. The association urged immediate action to stop the ongoing damage to critical IT and telecom infrastructure by LESCO staff. PTAPA has called on the authorities to ensure that all coordination with telecom operators follows the proper consultation framework established by the government, emphasizing the need for transparent and lawful engagement on infrastructure-related matters.
The letter also highlights that LESCO’s conduct contradicts national policy objectives and the approved Right of Way Policy 2020. It warns that such actions not only disrupt essential services but also contradict the Prime Minister’s goal of enabling a connected and digitally empowered Pakistan. The RoW policy allows telecom and IT operators to access infrastructure rights under fair and standardized terms, as already implemented by organizations such as Pakistan Railways, the Capital Development Authority (CDA), and the National Highway Authority (NHA), all of which have permitted free or minimal RoW fees to promote national digitization efforts.
By taking independent measures without federal approval, LESCO risks undermining the progress achieved through public and private sector collaboration in Pakistan’s digital infrastructure development. Industry experts warn that continued disruptions could slow the pace of broadband expansion, reduce investor confidence, and hinder digital growth in urban centers. The call for immediate government intervention reflects growing concern over maintaining consistent and equitable access to essential telecom infrastructure, which forms the backbone of Pakistan’s digital economy and service delivery systems.
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