• Hearing on Rs700bn electricity tariff increase on 8th • Protected consumers face 51pc rise • Real applicable average national tariff to hit Rs65-72 per unit

ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has called a public hearing on July 8 on the question of passing on more than Rs700 billion additional burden to electricity consumers during the current fiscal year by jacking up the average national tariff by around Rs5.72 per unit.

The increase would significantly impact the sale rate for poor protected consumers with a rise of over 51 per cent.

This tariff hike, effective July 1, 2024, affects all ex-Wapda distribution companies (Discos) and K-Electric. The measure is part of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) “prior action and structural benchmark,” and the public hearing is just a formality.

On June 14, Nepra already announced almost a 20pc (Rs5.72 per unit) increase in the uniform national tariff to ensure about Rs3.8 trillion in funds to the 10 Discos during the fiscal year 2024-25.

The government has worked out........

© Dawn Business