Pakistan govt announces relief of up to Rs26/unit for winter season

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has unveiled a three-month relief initiative for electricity consumers during the winter season when demand for this essential service is typically low, despite high unit costs.

"The government has reached a decision to implement an electricity relief package for additional power consumption over the winter months of December, January, and February," he stated while speaking at an event celebrating poet Allama Iqbal on the eve of his birthday.

According to the plan, the prime minister mentioned that there would be a "desirable" decrease in electricity prices. This relief package would take effect in the "bills from December 2024 to February 2025."

A standard rate of Rs26.07 per unit will be available for any extra electricity used by household consumers, the prime minister noted, adding: "Household consumers will benefit from savings ranging from Rs11.42 per unit to Rs26 per unit."

In the industrial sector, where electricity rates range between Rs31.79 to Rs41.12 per unit, the new rates will bring down the cost to Rs26.07 rupees per unit, offering savings between Rs5.72 to Rs15.05 per unit for businesses.

Similarly, commercial consumers will benefit from a reduced rate of Rs26.07 per unit for additional usage, cutting their current electricity bills, which range from Rs39.53 to Rs48.78 per unit, by up to Rs13.46 to Rs22.71 per unit.