In a welcome move for consumers facing relentless utility costs, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has approved a Rs1.15 per unit reduction in the basic electricity tariff. The decision, announced on Wednesday from Islamabad, follows a formal request by the federal government.
The revised base tariff, once officially notified by the Ministry of Energy, is expected to provide nationwide relief—particularly to residential and small commercial users struggling with inflated monthly power bills.
NEPRA’s spokesperson confirmed the cut, stating that the final notification process is underway, and implementation will begin once all formalities are completed.
This base tariff reduction is separate from the Rs2.99 per unit decrease recently approved for K-Electric consumers under the fuel cost adjustment for March. That benefit is scheduled to reflect in June billing cycles, particularly impacting electricity users in Karachi.
Despite the rate reductions, Karachi continues to face worsening power outages. Reports of prolonged unannounced load-shedding have surfaced amid soaring summer temperatures, leading to public outcry and protests. Even members of the National and Provincial Assemblies have raised concerns about service delivery by the power utility.
In a televised appearance, K-Electric CEO Moonis Alvi acknowledged high consumer costs, but clarified that electricity pricing is determined largely by national energy policy frameworks, not the utility provider’s discretion.
The continued fluctuation in both base and fuel-adjusted tariffs reflects ongoing volatility in Pakistan’s energy sector—driven by fuel imports, currency depreciation, and demand surges in peak summer months.
