Electricity prices are expected to go up by Rs. 1.78 per unit across Pakistan, including Karachi, after a recent NEPRA hearing on a proposed tariff increase. The request came from the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA), which said higher fuel costs in January caused the rise. NEPRA will announce the final decision soon.
Officials said Pakistan sold about 8.76 billion units of electricity in January. The fuel cost was expected to be Rs. 10.39 per unit but rose to Rs. 12.17 due to low hydropower generation and higher electricity demand. This led the CPPA to ask for the increase.
NEPRA members expressed concern over the heavy use of expensive furnace oil-based power plants. NEPRA Member (Tariff & Finance) Punjab Amna Ahmed questioned why costly plants were used while prices keep rising, saying it may not help consumers. Maqsood Anwar also noted that much of the increase is due to furnace oil reliance.
Authorities explained these plants were needed to meet peak electricity demand. If approved, the hike will also affect K-Electric customers under government rules. The increase highlights ongoing problems in Pakistan’s power sector, including rising costs and inefficiencies, which continue to put pressure on household budgets.
