Electricity consumers across Pakistan will see an additional charge of 75 paisa per unit on their August bills. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) approved the hike on Tuesday, citing fuel cost adjustments (FCA) for the month of June.
The decision stems from the disparity between the estimated fuel costs used to set base tariffs and the actual expenses incurred by power plants. While the increase is relatively modest compared to recent spikes, it adds further pressure on households already struggling with record-high electricity costs and broader inflationary trends.
Distributors will collect the extra revenue through August bills, covering all consumer categories except for lifeline consumers—those using fewer than 50 units per month—and electric vehicle charging stations.
The adjustment arrives as the government faces mounting criticism over rising energy prices and the sustainability of the current power sector model. NEPRA’s data shows that while a significant portion of power generation in June came from cheaper sources like hydel and nuclear, the reliance on imported coal and residual furnace oil kept the overall fuel cost high enough to trigger the surcharge.
Consumers should note that this is a one-time adjustment. It remains separate from the base tariff hikes recently implemented as part of the government’s agreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
For a typical household, the 75-paisa increase may seem marginal on a per-unit basis, but it compounds the total monthly bill once taxes and other surcharges are applied. With no immediate relief in sight for the energy sector, families are left to absorb the cost as the government continues its push to eliminate circular debt through tariff rationalization.
