ISLAMABAD: The federal government is considering changes to electricity tariff rules that penalise households for exceeding the 200-unit monthly consumption limit, as officials explore ways to make power subsidies more targeted.
Power Minister Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari told the Senate that the government was working to end the existing six-month penalty period for consumers who exceed the threshold, even by a single unit.
During the session, Senator Abid Sher Ali questioned the tariff structure, pointing out that households consuming 201 units could face significantly higher bills than those using 200 units.
Responding to the concerns, Leghari said authorities were also considering raising the existing consumption threshold from 200 to 250 units.
The minister said around 20 million electricity consumers were using up to 200 units monthly. However, he argued that subsidies should be directed towards deserving households rather than automatically benefiting everyone below the threshold.
He noted that some households had reduced their grid consumption by installing solar panels, meaning lower electricity use did not necessarily indicate financial hardship.
The government is therefore exploring a system that would link electricity relief more closely to household income and poverty levels, alongside possible changes to the existing tariff slabs.
The proposed changes are intended to address concerns that the current rules can impose a disproportionate financial burden on households that occasionally exceed the 200-unit limit.
No final notification introducing the proposed changes has been announced, so the existing tariff rules remain applicable until the government formally approves and implements any revision.
