Picture this. The bill comes on a Monday. A family in Shahdara has missed two months while a relative was in hospital. Now the bill shows a big arrears line and a disconnection warning. Paying it all at once is not possible.
This happens in homes across Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib. The good news: LESCO has a set way to clear old dues in parts. This guide walks you through it, stage by stage.
The path at a glance
- Check what you really owe.
- Go to the right officer.
- Meet the conditions and sign the undertaking.
- Pay every installment and every new bill on time.
First, which bill are we talking about?
There are two kinds of requests. The rules are not the same.
| Request | What LESCO's FAQ says | What NEPRA's manual says |
|---|---|---|
| Old dues (arrears) | Allowed in genuine and deserving cases, with interest at prevailing bank rates. | The bill has an "Installments" line for amounts allowed by the competent officer. |
| This month's bill | "Installments are not admissible at running bill." | If allowed: no markup or late payment surcharge when the first part is paid by the due date. The rest carries 14% markup per year, pro rata. Companies "may provide" this facility. |
So for this month's bill, the answer depends on LESCO. Ask. For old dues, the path below applies.
Stage 1: Check what you really owe
NEPRA defines arrears as the "unpaid amount of the bill". Open your latest bill on our LESCO bill check page and find the arrears line.
Lost your receipts? Our guide to tracking old LESCO bills online shows how to check past payments.
Stage 2: Go to the right officer
LESCO's FAQ ties each officer to an arrears amount and a maximum number of equal monthly installments. This is for general connections.
| Officer | Arrears amount named in the FAQ | Most installments |
|---|---|---|
| SDO (sub-division officer) | Rs 2,000 | 3 |
| XEN (executive engineer, division) | Rs 10,000 | 3 |
| SE (superintending engineer, circle) | Rs 100,000 | 4 |
| CEO | Not stated | 6 |
Source: LESCO FAQs, "Where from I can get installments on my bill?"
Start at your sub-division office. Need the address or phone number? See our LESCO helpline and office directory.
Stage 3: Meet the conditions
LESCO uses these powers only in genuine and deserving cases. Two things matter most:
- You have not defaulted in payment during the last six months.
- You sign a written undertaking. You promise to pay the installment bills with your current bills, regularly. You also promise not to ask for installments on these dues again.
Interest is charged at the prevailing bank rates. Ask the office for the exact amount before you sign.
Stage 4: Pay on time, every time
Each installment shows on your bill under Installments. Pay it together with the current charges.
NEPRA's Consumer Service Manual protects you while you pay. Your supply should not be cut as long as you keep paying the installments. But if you default again, supply can be cut without further notice. It comes back only after you pay at least 50% of the dues.
Paying online helps you never miss a date. See how to pay electricity bills online in Pakistan.
Already disconnected? Read this
LESCO's FAQ explains reconnection for people who were cut off for non-payment:
- The reconnection order (RCO) is approved by the Customer Services Officer (CSO).
- If you want installments, you sign an undertaking on stamped paper. It says supply can be cut at once if you miss an installment or a current bill.
- You pay a fresh security deposit at current rates and sign a fresh agreement.
- Supply is restored only after you pay the first installment and finish the other formalities.
How does it get this far? Under NEPRA's manual, a connection is not cut for missing one month's bill. A seven-day notice comes with the second month's bill. Acting early keeps your options open.
Quick questions
Can LESCO split my current month's bill?
LESCO's FAQ says installments are not given on the running bill. NEPRA's revised Consumer Service Manual lets distribution companies offer installments on the current bill and sets the rules if they do. Ask your sub-division office whether LESCO will allow it in your case.
Is interest charged on LESCO installments?
For old dues, yes. LESCO's FAQ says interest is charged at the prevailing bank rates. For a current-month bill, NEPRA's manual says there is no markup or late payment surcharge if the first installment is paid by the due date, and the rest carry markup at 14% per year on a pro-rata basis.
What is the most installments LESCO allows?
Six equal monthly installments. LESCO's FAQ says only the CEO can allow six. Lower officers can allow three or four.
Can I ask for installments again on the same dues?
No. The written undertaking you sign says you will not ask again for these dues to be paid in installments.
Where should I apply?
Your sub-division office is the usual first stop, because the SDO is the first officer on LESCO's list. Bring your latest bill.
Sources: LESCO FAQs 14-16 (lesco.gov.pk); NEPRA revised Consumer Service Manual sent to all distribution companies on 26 November 2025, clauses 6.8, 8.2.3 and 8.2.6 and the bill contents table. Checked 11 October 2026.
