Govt May End “Protected Consumers” Category for Electricity by 2027
ISLAMABAD: The federal government is considering phasing out the “protected consumers” category for electricity users, a move that could eliminate the current relief provided to those using up to 200 units per month. A new mechanism, likely tied to income-based support, is being planned in its place.
PAC Meeting Discusses Rising Power Bills
The matter came up during a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chaired by Junaid Akbar Khan. During the session, Power Division Secretary Dr. Fakhar Alam Irfan revealed that the government is working on a proposal to end the protected category by 2027.
Why Are Consumers Penalized for Exceeding 200 Units?
The PAC Chairman questioned the logic behind the current policy, which penalizes users who consume over 200 units even once—resulting in higher bills for the next six months.
He called the practice unfair and asked officials to come up with a practical solution.
Number of Protected Consumers Rising
According to Dr. Irfan, the number of protected consumers has jumped from 11 million to 18 million. Currently, 58% of electricity users in Pakistan fall under this category, consuming less than 200 units a month.
New Subsidy Plan via BISP
As part of the new plan, the government may shift to a targeted subsidy system based on data from the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). Instead of subsidizing electricity usage based on consumption alone, the new approach aims to provide direct financial support to low-income households only.
