Pakistan to Replace Conventional Electricity Meters with Smart Meters by 2026
The federal government has announced a plan to gradually replace conventional three-phase electricity meters across the country with AMI smart meters, aiming to reduce power theft and ensure accurate billing.
According to the Ministry of Power, the phased rollout will begin with 350,000 meters, with a target to complete the nationwide transition by December 2026.
A formal directive has been issued to all distribution companies, including the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO). In the first phase, LESCO will replace 350,000 meters under the official meter replacement order.
Officials say the smart meters will allow better monitoring of electricity usage, curb overbilling, and improve billing accuracy. However, LESCO will bear billions of rupees in installation costs for the large-scale upgrade.
This move is part of the government’s broader efforts to modernize the power sector and improve services for consumers nationwide.