Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO)

The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) was established in February 1912 by industrialist Lala Harkishen Lal with an initial capital of Rs 5 lakh. Lala Harkishen Lal also served as its first chairman. At that time, it was based in McLeod-Cooper Road, Lahore. In its early years, LESCO expanded its services to 12 towns in various provinces such as the Central Provinces, the United Provinces, Sindh, and the North-West Frontier Province, making it the largest power generator outside the Government Electric Supply Branch by 1941. However, starting from a conflict with the Punjab Government in May 1934, the company faced a series of challenges. The implementation of the Punjab Electricity (Emergency Powers) Act, 1941, further contributed to its decline.