Islamabad: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority has confirmed that all power distribution companies, including K-Electric, have engaged in electricity overbilling during the months of April and June.
NEPRA is now demanding explanations from these companies, as reported.
In an official notification, NEPRA announced its intention to direct all distribution companies to adjust consumers’ bills according to the actual units consumed. The notification specified that the companies had charged customers more than their actual usage during April and June, constituting a violation of NEPRA’s regulations. Companies are required to rectify this by adjusting the bills accordingly.
Furthermore, NEPRA has instructed these companies not to impose late payment surcharges on consumers who failed to pay their bills on time. Those who have already paid their bills with late surcharges must also see their bills adjusted.
The notification emphasized the immediate need to replace all defective meters to prevent future overbilling issues, with a compliance report due to NEPRA within 30 days.
In June, over 300,000 power consumers lost their protected category status and faced inflated electricity bills due to a new billing system implemented by DISCOs at the behest of the Ministry of Energy. Consumers in the protected category typically enjoy subsidized rates and are exempt from price increases.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the FIA to investigate officials at the power distribution companies involved in charging excess units on consumer bills. He stated that those responsible for inflating electricity bills should be held accountable and called for transparency regarding the treatment of protected consumers.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has also instructed the FIA to gather data from all DISCOs providing relief to protected consumers, expressing serious concern over the misclassification of these users.
In response to the overbilling, the FIA has summoned the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) chief and other officials for questioning. LESCO’s Chief Shahid Haider, along with the director of customer services, the director of IT, and officials from the energy ministry, will be investigated. The FIA is expected to submit its findings on this issue to the prime minister within 24 hours.
