ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority yesterday approved a Rs3.07 per unit increase in electricity prices, applicable to all power distribution companies.

In a notification, the regulator said: “The [...] adjustment shall be shown separately in the consumers’ bills on the basis of units billed to the consumers in the month of October 2023 in the billing month of December 2023.”

Nepra has notified the increase on account of variations in fuel charges, the notification mentioned, in a move that will impact millions of the electricity distribution companies’ (Discos) inflation-weary consumers.

The increase will not be applicable to Karachi-Electric (KE) consumers. Moreover, electric vehicle charging stations (EVCs) and lifeline consumers will also not be impacted by the increase, the notification mentioned.

The power prices are persistently on the rise in Pakistan as the cash-strapped nation tries to curb its circular debt and meet the conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The IMF laid forth several conditions — including a rise in power and gas tariffs — for the South Asian nation to unlock crucial funds that allowed the government to avert a possible default on its debt payments.

The latest hike comes on the heels of startling Nepra findings, wherein it was discovered that KE and other power-providing companies were charging millions of consumers excessively.

“Legal proceedings against all Distribution Companies including KEL under NEPRA Fine Regulations, 2021 for violation of the provisions of NEPRA Act, CSM and tariff terms & conditions etc,” a statement issued by the power regulator said.

The authority took “very serious” notice of the complaints that were reported from all over Pakistan regarding excessive, inflated, and wrong bills charged by the distribution companies to the consumers during two months  July and August.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 06 2023

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