Govt extends due dates of July, Aug electricity bills

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed all power companies to extend the deadline for payment of electricity bills by 10 days.

Following the inquiry, the country’s power distribution companies, including K-Electric, were found accused of overbilling on top of backbreaking electricity tariffs.

An official notification issued by the Power Division today notified that the prime minister had directed a 10-day extension in the deadline for payment of electricity bills for July and August.

“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued these instructions in view of the difficulties of the consumers,” the power division said.

In a separate statement, National Electric Power Regulatory Autho­rity (Nepra), quoting an inquiry report, said, “All the distribution companies including K-Electric have been found involved in overbilling.”

Nepra added that a detailed inquiry was conducted into complaints of overbilling during the April to June 2024 period.

The regulator said ex­­planations have been sought from all power companies over the questions of overbilling and instructions have also been passed to compensate consumers who were already under financial burden because of unaffordable electricity rates.

It said all the companies had been directed to adjust their actual bills on a pro-rata basis in case of lower meter readings.

Last month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a Rs50 billion relief package for domestic electricity consumers using up to 200 units per month.

“The domestic consumers who consume up to 200 units of electricity will get a subsidy for three months — July, August, September,” PM announced.