LAHORE: The federal government is considering changing the electricity tariff structure to reduce the extra burden on thousands of households across the country.

According to reports, the non-protected status, which now applies to anybody using more than 200 units, may soon be limited to users using 301 or more units.

This adjustment will benefit thousands of Pakistani households that narrowly exceed the 200-unit threshold before being exposed to much higher charges for six months under the non-protected category.

The issue was aggressively highlighted at a recent federal cabinet meeting, when numerous ministers deemed the present approach unjust.

“A person using 201 units pays almost Rs. 5,000 extra over six months, that’s harsh, especially for low-income users,” cabinet members argued.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, was briefed on the issue and has allegedly hinted at convening a high-level committee to evaluate the policy.

The committee will thoroughly investigate the problem and provide its findings and recommendations to the federal cabinet.

According to sources, another alternative under discussion is to apply the non-protected slab just in the month when the limit is reached, rather than locking the customer into the higher rate for half a year.

The current 201-unit slab was imposed by NEPRA and Pakistan’s Ministry of Power, but mounting public outrage has prompted a prospective policy revision.

Electricity prices reduced

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA)  has announced a reduction in electricity prices in monthly and quarterly adjustments.

Nepra has approved a reduction in electricity prices by Rs 1.89 per unit in the quarterly adjustment.

The decision to reduce electricity prices in the quarterly adjustment has been sent to the federal government.

According to the decision, this reduction was approved in the quarterly adjustment for April to June 2025. The reduction in electricity prices will apply to all DISCOs consumers, including K-Electric.

According to Nepra, the reduction in electricity prices will apply for the 3 months of August to October 2025, and electricity consumers will get a relief of Rs 55 billion 874 million from this reduction.

The reduction in electricity prices will not apply to Lifeline and prepaid consumers.