The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has strongly criticized the government for rushing approval of its industrial power tariff plan. The Power Division requested immediate clearance for a cheaper electricity package for industries and private agriculture users. Nepra’s Sindh Member Rafique A. Shaikh said the move was “unfair” and compromised the regulator’s credibility. He noted that such instant approvals ignored due consultation and transparency.
The proposal, discussed in a public hearing chaired by Nepra Chairman Waseem Mukhtar, offers incremental usage at Rs22.98 per unit. The government says the scheme aims to revive electricity demand, boost industrial activity, and reduce blackouts without burdening the national budget. However, industrial leaders rejected the package, calling it too weak to compete with regional markets.
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Representatives from the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and Aptma said the industrial power tariff was still too high. They demanded that the base rate be cut to 9 cents per unit, like in Bangladesh or Vietnam. Officials replied that the cabinet had already approved the scheme and that it would not be revised. They added that industries were “free to take it or leave it.”
Nepra members said that rushing regulatory approval weakened the entire process. Some industrialists also warned that recent tariff hikes had already increased costs from Rs34 to Rs38 per unit. The Power Division countered that the plan would help stabilise the national grid and manage rising solar generation levels.
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The three-year package covers industrial and private agricultural users under Discos and K-Electric. It will apply to both peak and off-peak hours. Officials said it would encourage consumption, improve grid stability, and remain fiscally neutral. Despite Nepra’s warning, the government hopes the industrial power tariff plan will revive energy demand and support economic growth.