Most people look at the "Amount Payable" on their electricity bill and do not examine what went into it. The actual composition — what each line item is, why it is there, and whether it can change — matters when you want to understand why your bill is what it is and where to look when something seems wrong.
Here is a complete breakdown of every charge that appears on a Pakistani electricity bill.
Energy Charges (Base Cost)
Energy charges are the foundation of your bill. This is the cost of the electricity you actually consumed, calculated using the tariff structure set by NEPRA.
For residential consumers (tariff A-1 and A-1P), energy charges are calculated using a slab system. The rate per unit depends on two things:
Whether you are protected or unprotected — the single most significant factor. Protected consumers (200 units or fewer per month, no AC registered, sanctioned load under 5kW) pay substantially lower rates per unit than unprotected consumers.
How many units you consumed — within the unprotected category, rates escalate as consumption rises. More units means a higher per-unit rate applied to your entire month's consumption, not just the excess.
NEPRA revises tariff rates periodically. The current schedule is published on nepra.org.pk. For a detailed explanation of how protected and unprotected classification works, see Protected vs Unprotected Electricity Tariff in Pakistan.
Fuel Price Adjustment (FPA)
FPA is a monthly variable charge on top of energy charges. It adjusts for the difference between the projected and actual cost of generating electricity that month.
A high-fuel-cost month adds a significant positive FPA to your bill. A month with strong hydropower generation can produce a small negative FPA — a credit. FPA is applied per unit, so your total FPA charge scales directly with your consumption.
For a full explanation of how FPA is determined and what drives it, see What is FPA on Your Electricity Bill.
GST (General Sales Tax)
GST at 17% applies to electricity consumption in Pakistan. It is calculated on the sum of energy charges and FPA for the month, before fixed charges are added.
This is a mandatory federal tax. Standard residential consumers — both protected and unprotected — pay full GST on electricity. There is no opt-out.
Fixed Monthly Charges (Meter Rent)
Every residential connection carries a fixed monthly charge regardless of how much electricity you use. This covers the cost of the meter and connection infrastructure at your premises.
For residential A-1 connections:
- Single-phase meter: Rs. 75 per month
- Three-phase meter: Rs. 150 per month
These charges apply even in a month where your usage was zero. If your property was unoccupied but the meter was not formally disconnected, you will still see fixed charges — plus the TV licence fee and minimum unit charges — on the bill.
Beyond meter rent, NEPRA approved a new slab-based fixed monthly charge in February 2026 — a separate, substantially larger levy calculated per kilowatt of your sanctioned load. For a full explanation of how it works and what you will pay, see New Fixed Monthly Charges on Your Electricity Bill.
TV Licence Fee
Rs. 35 per month, charged to all residential electricity consumers. This amount is collected by your DISCO on behalf of Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) under a statutory arrangement.
It is a flat fee — the same Rs. 35 regardless of your consumption or whether you own a television. It cannot be waived or removed from your bill. Even a lifeline consumer with very low consumption will see this charge every month.
Neelum-Jhelum Surcharge
The Neelum-Jhelum hydroelectric project in Azad Kashmir was a major government infrastructure investment. A portion of its financing cost is recovered through a per-unit surcharge on all electricity consumers across WAPDA DISCOs.
This surcharge applies to every unit consumed. It is a small amount per unit, but for a higher-consumption month it adds a visible line to the bill. NEPRA sets the applicable rate, which can be verified on their website.
Financing Cost Surcharge
A separate per-unit surcharge linked to Pakistan's power sector circular debt. The circular debt — a long-running liability between generation companies, DISCOs, and the government — is partially serviced through this charge on consumers.
Like the Neelum-Jhelum surcharge, it applies per unit consumed and is set by NEPRA.
Electricity Duty
A provincial tax on electricity consumption that previously appeared as a separate line item on bills. The federal government abolished electricity duty in July 2025 — it no longer applies to consumer bills issued after that date. If you are reviewing an older bill from before July 2025, you may still see this charge.
Previous Balance (Arrears)
If you have any unpaid amount from a previous billing month, it appears as "Previous Balance" or "Arrears" in the current bill. This is not a new charge — it is the carry-forward of an older debt.
Previous balances accumulate if you pay less than the full amount due, or miss a payment entirely. They grow month over month because the late payment surcharge is applied to outstanding amounts after the due date.
If your "Previous Balance" line is unexpectedly large, review 3–4 months of your billing history — visible at the bottom of the duplicate bill — to trace when the gap started.
Late Payment Surcharge
If you pay after the due date printed on your bill, a surcharge of approximately 10% is added to the outstanding current charges. This becomes part of the "Previous Balance" on your next bill.
Pay before the due date. The surcharge compounds — a missed payment in one month affects the following two or three months' bills.
A Sample Bill Structure
To make this concrete, here is how a typical residential bill builds up. The variable components — energy charges, FPA, and GST — dominate the total. The fixed components are smaller but consistent every month regardless of usage.
| Charge | Basis |
|---|---|
| Energy charges | Units consumed × applicable tariff rate |
| Fuel Price Adjustment | Units consumed × NEPRA monthly FPA figure |
| GST (17%) | Applied on energy charges + FPA |
| Fixed charges (meter rent) | Rs. 75 single-phase / Rs. 150 three-phase |
| TV licence fee | Rs. 35 flat |
| Neelum-Jhelum surcharge | Per unit consumed |
| Financing cost surcharge | Per unit consumed |
| Electricity duty | Abolished July 2025 — no longer charged |
| Previous balance | Any unpaid amount from prior months |
The "variable" items move with your consumption and monthly NEPRA determinations. The fixed items remain stable month to month.
What to Do If a Charge Looks Wrong
First, check the tariff type. A sudden jump in energy charges with no usage change often means you crossed the protected/unprotected threshold that month.
Second, check the FPA line. A high-FPA month can add substantially more than expected — compare this month's FPA per unit to last month's.
Third, check the previous balance. An old arrear makes the current bill look larger than the current month's consumption justifies.
If after these checks you believe the units consumed are incorrect, visit your DISCO's sub-divisional office or call their helpline (118 for most DISCOs) before the due date. Paying the undisputed portion under protest, and filing a complaint before the due date, protects you from late surcharge accrual while the dispute is reviewed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I have a bill even though I used no electricity this month?
Fixed monthly charges (meter rent), the TV licence fee, and minimum charges apply to all active connections regardless of consumption. An active meter generates charges even at zero usage.
What is the GST rate on electricity in Pakistan?
GST on electricity is 17%, applied on your energy charges plus FPA for the billing month. It is a federal tax charged on all standard residential electricity consumption.
What is meter rent on my electricity bill?
Meter rent is the fixed monthly charge for the electricity meter at your premises. For residential single-phase connections, it is Rs. 75 per month. Three-phase connections are charged Rs. 150 per month. It applies regardless of how much electricity you use.
What is the TV licence fee on my electricity bill?
Rs. 35 per month, collected by your DISCO on behalf of Pakistan Television Corporation. It is a statutory charge on all residential connections and cannot be removed from the bill, whether or not you own a television.
Why is there a Neelum-Jhelum surcharge on my bill?
The Neelum-Jhelum hydroelectric project was financed partly through debt, and a per-unit surcharge on electricity consumers funds its debt servicing. It appears on all residential and commercial bills across WAPDA DISCOs.
Can any of these charges be disputed or removed?
Fixed charges (meter rent, TV fee), GST, and mandatory surcharges are statutory — they cannot be disputed. What can be disputed is the underlying consumption (units) if you believe the meter reading was incorrect, or the tariff type if you believe you have been incorrectly classified. For consumption disputes, contact your DISCO with evidence of your actual meter reading before the due date.