On Friday, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) gave its approval for an increase in the electricity tariff for consumers, amounting to Rs 0.46 per unit.
According to the notification issued, this increase in power tariff falls under fuel adjustment charges (FAC) for the month of July. The tariff hike is scheduled to be applied to bills issued in September. However, it’s important to note that this increase will not affect Lifeline and K Electric customers.
Prior to this decision, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had given a positive response to a relief plan worth Rs 15 billion. The aim of this relief plan is to ease the financial burden on electricity consumers in Pakistan.
FBR’s Exemplary Performance
Sources revealed that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) played a crucial role in securing this relief from the IMF. The FBR surpassed expectations by collecting an impressive sum of Rs 20 billion in excess taxes.
The IMF’s decision to grant this relief package of Rs 15 billion underscores the commendable performance of the FBR. It also highlights the dedicated efforts of key figures in the caretaker government, including Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar, Caretaker Finance Minister Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, and Caretaker Energy Minister Muhammad Ali.
This relief package may bring significant benefits to consumers with electricity consumption of up to 200 units. Sources suggest that consumers falling within this category can expect relief ranging from Rs 3 to Rs 4 per unit on their electricity bills. Additionally, there will be provisions for delayed payments to ensure that these consumers do not face penalties for late payments.
However, it’s important to note that the IMF has imposed a condition stating that consumers exceeding 400 units of electricity consumption will not be eligible for this relief. The final approval for deferred payments and the relief package will be subject to review and approval by the Federal Cabinet, according to sources.
