Electricity consumers across Pakistan have received both relief and an additional burden after the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) issued separate notifications reducing and increasing power tariffs at the same time.
The regulator has approved a reduction of Rs1.98 per unit under the first quarterly adjustment of 2026, while also increasing electricity prices by Rs1.19 per unit under the April fuel price adjustment.
According to NEPRA’s notification, electricity prices have been reduced by Rs1.98 per unit as part of the first quarterly adjustment of the year 2026.
The regulator said consumers will receive relief worth more than Rs67 billion through the quarterly adjustment mechanism.
This reduction will be applicable to electricity bills issued for June, July and August, providing temporary relief to eligible consumers during the three-month period.
Who will benefit from tariff cut?
The quarterly adjustment relief will apply to most electricity consumers across the country.
However, NEPRA clarified that Lifeline consumers, customers under the Incremental Consumption Package, and prepaid electricity users will not receive the benefit of the Rs1.98 per unit reduction.
The notification specifically excludes these categories from the quarterly adjustment relief.
Electricity becomes more expensive under fuel adjustment
While announcing the tariff reduction, NEPRA also issued a separate notification increasing electricity prices by Rs1.19 per unit. The increase has been approved under the April 2026 fuel price adjustment and will apply to electricity consumers nationwide.
As a result, consumers will see the additional charges reflected in their June electricity bills.
Who is exempt from fuel charge increase?
NEPRA stated that certain consumer categories will not be affected by the Rs1.19 per unit increase. Charging stations, Lifeline consumers and prepaid electricity customers have been exempted from the fuel price adjustment surcharge.
All other eligible consumers will pay the additional amount through their June bills.
The latest notifications mean that electricity has effectively become both cheaper and more expensive at the same time.
On one hand, consumers are set to receive more than Rs67 billion in relief through the quarterly adjustment, with a reduction of Rs1.98 per unit spread over June, July and August.
On the other hand, the April fuel price adjustment has increased electricity rates by Rs1.19 per unit, adding an extra cost that will be recovered through June bills.
The dual decision reflects NEPRA’s routine tariff adjustment mechanism, which separately accounts for quarterly financial adjustments and monthly fuel cost variations.
