ISLAMABAD: On International Monetary Fund’s demand, Pakistan jacked up electricity and gas tariffs in 2023, causing an additional burden of over Rs 2,200 billion on consumers.

As per details, Pakistan government jacked up electricity tariff by Rs 10.73 per unit in 2023 and ended Kisan and exports sector packages worth Rs 65 billion to minimise losses on IMF’s demand.

Power consumers were slapped with permanent surcharge of Rs 3.23/ unit, monthly, and quarterly adjustments and other charges that ultimately put burden of over Rs 1,150 billion on consumers in 2023. In 2023, electricity tariff was increased 10 times under monthly fuel adjustments.

Meanwhile, Pakistani government increased gas tariff by whopping 312 percent in 2023 on International Monetary Fund’s demand to address circular debt issue in energy sector. On January 1, 2023, gas tariff was increased by 112 percent and second time tariff was jacked up by 200 percent in November.

Fixed charges for protected consumers were jacked up by whopping Rs 400 per month from Rs 10. On December 20, National Electric Power Regulatory Authority notified hike of Rs 1.15 per unit in electricity tariff.

According to notification issued by power regulatory authority, NEPRA approved hike in electricity in wake of monthly fuel adjustment for first quarter of current financial year. It added that electricity consumers would have to make additional payments during January to March 2024 bills.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 27 2023

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