Electricity consumers across Pakistan are experiencing a significant increase in their power bills following a major change in the billing structure approved by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority.
The revised tariff system, introduced at the request of the federal government, came into effect in January 2026 and has sparked widespread concern among households.
Under the new policy, fixed electricity charges are now calculated based on a consumer’s sanctioned load rather than actual electricity consumption.
Previously, fixed charges applied only to domestic consumers using more than 300 units per month, typically ranging between Rs. 200 and Rs. 1,000. However, the updated system extends these charges to almost all domestic users, except for lifeline consumers.
Higher Fixed Charges Across All Slabs
According to the revised tariff:
- Fixed charges now range from Rs. 200 to Rs. 675 per kilowatt per month
- Charges apply regardless of how much electricity is actually used
- Even low-consumption households are now affected
For instance, a household with a sanctioned load of 5 kilowatts could see fixed charges rise from around Rs. 1,000 to nearly Rs. 3,375 per month.
The new billing mechanism means electricity costs will no longer depend primarily on usage, placing additional financial pressure on consumers already dealing with rising living expenses.
Both regular and solar consumers are expected to feel the impact, as fixed costs now make up a larger portion of monthly electricity bills.
The move has triggered concern among the public, with many consumers expressing frustration over increased costs despite efforts to conserve electricity.
Experts warn that the shift could disproportionately affect middle- and lower-income households, particularly those with higher sanctioned loads but lower actual usage.
