On Wednesday, NEPRA formally approved a Rs1.15 per unit cut in Pakistan’s base electricity tariff, following a submission by the federal government aimed at moderating power bills amid growing economic pressure.
The regulatory authority released a statement from Islamabad confirming the rate reduction, which will come into force once the government issues the official notification. This decrease applies across national power users and reflects a broader move toward cost control in the energy sector.
The announcement follows NEPRA’s separate decision to lower K-Electric’s tariff by Rs2.99/unit under its monthly fuel cost adjustment for March. This adjustment will impact Karachi’s June billing cycle, offering partial relief in a city grappling with both financial strain and extreme heat-induced outages.
Residents of Karachi have reported escalating, unannounced power cuts, leading to disruptions across residential and commercial zones. The backlash includes street-level protests and political pressure, with lawmakers demanding accountability from K-Electric.
In response to public criticism, K-Electric CEO Moonis Alvi recently clarified that high electricity costs are largely a result of government-directed pricing structures. Speaking to ARY News, he emphasized that the utility acts as a distributor, while the energy production and pricing ecosystem is centrally managed.
The latest developments underscore the challenges of balancing supply, affordability, and infrastructure stability in Pakistan’s power sector. While the tariff cuts are a step toward relief, broader reforms remain necessary to ensure consistent energy availability and pricing fairness, especially as peak summer demand continues to rise.