KARACHI: In a major development that promises substantial financial relief to inflation-weary citizens, electricity consumers across Pakistan—including K-Electric consumers—are likely to receive a massive relief package worth Rs. 63.94 billion.
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) commenced a hearing, chaired by NEPRA Chairman Waseem Mukhtar, regarding the Power Distribution Companies’ (Discos) adjustment petition for the first quarter of 2026 (January to March).
Breakdown of the Proposed Relief
According to the official petition filed by the Discos, the requested reductions under various heads include Rs. 36.837 billion under capacity charges, Rs. 11.24 billion under system usage and market operation fees, and Rs. 23.51 billion under incremental units. While the final approval will be formally announced by NEPRA following the conclusion of the hearing, the expected adjustment translates to a direct relief of Rs. 1.93 per unit for consumers.
Industry Leaders and Consumers Welcome the Move
During the NEPRA hearing, representatives from various industries and domestic consumer bodies expressed immense satisfaction with the proposed Rs. 1.93 reduction, praising the Power Division and NEPRA for keeping tariffs stable despite global economic pressures.
“At a time when global energy crises are driving electricity prices up worldwide, the Power Division has managed to prevent further tariff hikes in Pakistan, which is highly commendable,” consumer representatives stated during the hearing.
Prominent industrialist Tanveer Bari echoed these sentiments, welcoming the Rs. 1.93 per unit relief. However, he also highlighted critical structural challenges in the power sector. Industrial consumers pointed out that Pakistan currently possesses a total installed power generation capacity of 45,000 MW, while the current operational production stands at 25,000 MW. Industry leaders questioned the rationale behind setting up new power plants when surplus capacity already exists, emphasizing that increasing industrial energy demand is the key factor driving down overall electricity costs across the country.
A final, definitive notification regarding the implementation date and exact per-unit reduction will be issued by NEPRA in the coming days.
