Apply for New LESCO Connection — Complete Guide (2026)

Applying for a new LESCO electricity connection — whether for a newly-built house, a relocated business, a converted property, or a previously off-grid area newly served by LESCO infrastructure — is one of the more involved processes in Pakistani utility administration. The application requires specific documentation, payment of connection charges, site inspection by LESCO staff, meter installation, and activation. The process typically takes several weeks to several months depending on the complexity of the connection and the current workload at the relevant LESCO sub-divisional office.

Eligibility for a new LESCO electricity connection

New connection applications are open to:

Property owners — the most straightforward case. Bring ownership documents (registry, transfer deed, allotment letter) showing your name as the current owner.
Tenants with landlord consent — rented properties can have connections in the tenant's name with written authorisation from the landlord. The connection effectively belongs to the tenant for the duration of the tenancy.
Builders during construction — temporary construction connections for under-construction properties are available. These are typically time-bound and convert to permanent connections after construction completion and occupancy certificate issuance.
Businesses for commercial premises — shops, offices, industrial units. Commercial connections have different tariff structures and typically higher connection charges than residential.
Agricultural users for tubewells — tubewell connections under agricultural tariff. Land ownership documents required.

The connection address must be within LESCO's service territory — Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib and Okara districts. Properties in other districts fall under different DISCOs (MEPCO, GEPCO, IESCO) and require applications to those companies instead. The boundaries are administrative and not always intuitive — verify your area's DISCO before assuming LESCO is the right destination.

Documents required for LESCO new connection

The standard LESCO new connection application requires:

Applicant's CNIC — original and photocopy. The CNIC must be valid and the applicant must be 18 or older.
Property ownership documents — registry (transfer document), allotment letter from a housing scheme, or other documentation showing legal ownership.
Property mutation — recent land records mutation showing the property is registered in the applicant's name.
Site plan showing the location of the proposed connection within the property, the distance from the nearest LESCO distribution line, and any obstacles between the line and the connection point.
Building plan approval (if applicable) — for newly-constructed properties, the local development authority's building plan approval is required.
Tenant case: rent agreement and landlord NOC — for tenant applications, the registered rent agreement plus a written no-objection certificate from the landlord authorising the connection in the tenant's name.
Builder case: completion certificate — for builder applications, evidence that the construction is at a stage requiring electrical connection.
Commercial case: business registration — for commercial connections, the business's registration documents (sole proprietorship certificate, partnership deed, company incorporation, etc.).
Two recent passport-size photographs of the applicant.
Application form — obtained free from any LESCO sub-divisional office.

Connection load planning before application

The 'connection load' — measured in kilowatts (kW) — is what you ask LESCO to provide. Getting this right matters because under-requesting forces later upgrade applications, and over-requesting increases connection charges unnecessarily:

Typical residential 2-3 bedroom house — 3-5 kW is sufficient for normal appliances, lighting, ceiling fans, refrigerator and one air conditioner.
Larger residential with multiple ACs, water pumps, heavy appliances — 5-10 kW range.
Small commercial like a shop, small office — 5-10 kW depending on equipment and air conditioning needs.
Restaurant, larger office, small manufacturing — 10-25 kW range.
Industrial connections — above 25 kW. These have different tariff categories and engineering requirements; consult an electrical engineer before submitting application for industrial loads.
Agricultural tubewell — load depends on pump horsepower. A 10-HP pump needs approximately 7.5 kW connection load.

If unsure, walk through a list of appliances you intend to operate with their rated wattages and sum them. Add a 30% buffer for future expansion. The result approximates your needed connection load. For substantial commercial or industrial loads, professional electrical consultation produces a better-engineered estimate.

Submitting the LESCO new connection application

Visit the LESCO sub-divisional office covering your area
Identify the correct sub-divisional office based on the property location. The LESCO website lists sub-divisional offices with their coverage areas. Visit in person — online submission is not currently a standard option for new connections.
Obtain and complete the application form
The form is free at the sub-divisional office. Fill in all sections completely — name, CNIC, address, requested load, tariff category, purpose. Attach all required documents.
Submit and obtain acknowledgement
Submit the completed application with documents to the relevant office staff. They check basic completeness and issue a written acknowledgement with an application reference number. Retain this acknowledgement for all future correspondence.
Site inspection by LESCO staff
LESCO sends an inspector to verify the property address, assess the distance from the nearest distribution line, and confirm the proposed connection point. The inspection typically happens within 1-2 weeks of application submission. Plan to be available at the property during the inspection window.
Pay connection charges
After site inspection, LESCO issues a demand notice specifying connection charges. These include security deposit, meter charges, connection extension charges if extending from the existing line, and standard application fees. Pay the demand notice at any bank counter or designated LESCO payment point.
Meter installation and activation
Once payment is processed, LESCO schedules meter installation. The installation includes the meter itself, the service cable from the distribution line to your property, and the connection to your internal wiring. After installation, the meter is activated and billing begins from the activation date.

Charges and timelines for LESCO connections

Connection charges vary based on multiple factors:

Security deposit — typically Rs. 2,000-5,000 for residential 3-5 kW connections, scaling up with requested load. Refunded with the final settlement if the connection is later permanently disconnected.
Meter charges — Rs. 1,500-3,000 depending on meter type (standard or smart metering becoming more common).
Service connection charges — variable based on distance from existing distribution line to the connection point. Short distances (under 30 metres) are typically Rs. 5,000-15,000. Longer extensions can range from Rs. 20,000 to several lakh depending on the infrastructure required.
Application processing fee — small administrative fee, typically Rs. 500-2,000.
Stamp duties — minor stamp duty on the application and demand notice.

Total all-in cost for a straightforward residential 5 kW connection extending from an existing nearby line is typically Rs. 15,000-30,000. Commercial and industrial connections cost more. Connections requiring new feeder extensions or transformer additions can run into lakhs.

Timeline from application to functional connection: typically 4-8 weeks for straightforward cases, longer for complex situations. Bottlenecks are usually at site inspection scheduling and meter installation crew availability rather than administrative processing.

LESCO new connection — typical applicant questions

How do I know if my property address falls under LESCO or another DISCO?

LESCO covers Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib and Okara districts. Properties in these districts fall under LESCO. Properties in adjacent districts (Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad and others) fall under different DISCOs. The municipal or revenue authority that issues your property documents can confirm the district. When in doubt, visit the LESCO sub-divisional office for the claimed area — staff will confirm whether your property is actually within their jurisdiction.

Can I apply for a LESCO connection online instead of visiting the office?

LESCO has progressively been digitising its consumer-facing processes but new connection applications still require in-person submission at the sub-divisional office. The reason is that the application includes physical document verification, site sketching, and discussion of load requirements — all things that work better face-to-face. Some preliminary information can be obtained from the LESCO website but the actual application must be submitted physically.

What is the difference between residential and commercial connection tariff?

Residential tariffs use slab-based per-unit rates with substantial subsidies for low consumption. Commercial tariffs are flat-rate or minimally-slabbed at higher per-unit costs, with additional demand charges for connections above 5 kW. Operating a residential property under commercial tariff would cost substantially more than necessary; operating a commercial premises under residential tariff is a violation that results in retroactive billing corrections and potential penalties. Match the tariff category to the actual property use accurately.

Can I get a temporary LESCO connection for an event or short-term project?

Yes, LESCO offers temporary connections for events, construction sites, agricultural seasonal operations and similar short-term needs. The application process is simplified and the connection has a defined expiry date. Temporary connection charges are higher per-day than permanent equivalents because LESCO recovers installation costs over a shorter timeframe. Inquire at the sub-divisional office about specific temporary connection terms.

If my application is rejected, can I appeal or reapply?

Yes to both. Rejections come with a written explanation of the reason — typically missing documents, ineligibility of the proposed location, infrastructure unavailability, or document discrepancies. Address the specific issue and reapply. For rejections you believe are incorrect, appeal to the sub-divisional officer's supervising circle headquarters. Persistent unjustified rejections can be escalated to LESCO's customer services director or to NEPRA.

Are there any special schemes that subsidise new LESCO connections for low-income applicants?

Yes, LESCO has periodic schemes for connection subsidies under federal and provincial programmes — the Sehat Card families, BISP beneficiaries, and certain Punjab welfare programme participants may qualify for reduced connection charges or instalment payment plans. Inquire at the sub-divisional office about current schemes when you submit your application. Subsidy eligibility requires appropriate verification documents — NSER registration card, BISP card, etc.

Note on temporary versus permanent connection types

Many applicants for new connections face a choice between applying immediately for a permanent connection or starting with a temporary connection during construction or early occupation. The trade-offs:

Permanent connection requires completed construction with all electrical wiring ready for inspection. Lower per-unit cost over time. Cannot be installed until property is at the right stage.
Temporary connection can be installed earlier in construction. Higher per-unit cost during the temporary period. Useful for running construction tools and basic site needs. Converts to permanent later through a separate conversion application.

For most new home builders, a temporary connection during construction followed by conversion to permanent at completion is the practical sequence. The conversion application is simpler than a fresh permanent application because much of the infrastructure is already in place.

Application processes, document requirements, charges and timelines described above reflect LESCO's standard procedures as of early 2026. Specific charges and schemes are revised periodically — verify current details at your sub-divisional office before relying on figures from this guide for a specific application.