Schedule of Electric Tariffs in Pakistan 2025 – NEPRA Rates, Slabs & Updates

Electricity powers nearly every part of our lives—from lighting up our homes to keeping our devices charged. But have you ever wondered how electricity is priced? That’s where electric tariffs come in. Simply put, an electricity tariff structure is the pricing system that determines how much you pay for the electricity you consume.

For many IESCO users and electricity consumers across Pakistan, these tariff schedules may seem confusing at first glance. However, understanding how they work is essential for managing your monthly bills, making informed usage decisions, and even planning energy-efficient upgrades.

In Pakistan, the pricing of electricity isn’t random. It is strictly regulated by NEPRA—the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority—which oversees and approves all electricity tariff rates for residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. NEPRA ensures that electric utility pricing remains fair, transparent, and aligned with national energy policies, fuel costs, and seasonal demands.

By knowing which tariff category you fall under and how these rates are structured, you can take better control of your energy usage and avoid unnecessary billing surprises. In this guide, we’ll break down the schedule of electric tariffs, explain how the rates are set, and show you what it means for your IESCO bill.

So, whether you’re a homeowner, business owner, or just a curious consumer—stick with us as we make sense of electricity pricing in the simplest way possible.

⚡ What is an Electric Tariff?

An electric tariff is basically the price tag attached to the electricity you use. Just like you pay for groceries by weight or quantity, you pay for electricity based on how many units (kilowatt-hours or kWh) you consume. But there’s more to it than just a flat rate—it’s a detailed pricing structure made up of different components that together shape your monthly electricity bill.

Let’s break it down:

Components of an Electric Tariff

1. Fixed Charges:
   These are standard charges applied to your bill regardless of how much electricity you use. Think of them as service fees for maintaining the infrastructure and ensuring a continuous power supply.

2. Variable or Unit-Based Charges:
   These depend on your actual electricity consumption. The more units (kWh) you use, the higher this portion of your bill. The power unit rates vary based on your tariff category—residential, commercial, or industrial.

3. Taxes and Surcharges:
   This includes general sales tax, fuel price adjustments, and other government-imposed fees. One of the common additions is the electricity surcharge, which helps the government recover extra generation or fuel costs.

How Are These Rates Decided?

Electricity pricing in Pakistan isn’t set randomly. Each distribution company (like IESCO, LESCO, or KE) proposes rates based on operational costs, fuel prices, losses, and infrastructure investments. These proposed rates are then submitted to NEPRA, which reviews, adjusts, and approves them under the umbrella of government electricity tariffs.

The goal is to balance affordability for consumers with sustainability for energy providers. So, whether you’re a household user or running a commercial setup, your tariff is tailored to reflect your usage type and load category.

Understanding these components empowers you to better manage your consumption, reduce costs, and avoid surprise charges. In the upcoming sections, we’ll explore different tariff categories, explain peak and off-peak hours, and help you make sense of every line on your electricity bill.

️ NEPRA’s Role in Tariff Regulation

When it comes to electricity prices in Pakistan, the one name you’ll hear again and again is NEPRA—short for the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority. But what does NEPRA actually do, and how does it affect the bill you receive from IESCO each month?

Let’s break it down.

What is NEPRA and Why is It Important?

NEPRA is the government authority responsible for regulating the entire power sector in Pakistan. Its main job is to make sure that electricity generation, transmission, and distribution are fair, transparent, and in the best interest of both the consumers and the companies supplying power.

One of NEPRA’s key roles is setting and approving electricity tariff rates for all power distribution companies, including IESCO, LESCO, KE, and others. It does this by evaluating various cost factors—fuel prices, production costs, system losses, and required investments in the grid.

How Are Tariff Notifications Issued and Updated?

Here’s how it typically works:

1. Each distribution company submits a tariff proposal based on its operating costs, projected demand, and planned upgrades.

2. NEPRA reviews this proposal, holds public hearings, and invites feedback from stakeholders.

3. After careful evaluation, NEPRA issues a tariff notification, which includes updated rates and any changes to billing structures.

These NEPRA-approved rates are then made public and applied to your electricity bills—affecting everything from your electricity cost per kWh to the fixed charges and taxes you pay.

Tariff notifications can be revised multiple times a year, especially when fuel prices change or new government policies are implemented. So, staying informed about these changes helps you understand why your bill may go up or down.

NEPRA Tariff Categories Explained

NEPRA doesn’t use a one-size-fits-all model. Instead, it classifies consumers into several tariff categories, each with its own rate structure:

• Residential: Households with low to moderate electricity consumption

• Commercial: Shops, offices, and small businesses

• Industrial: Factories, large equipment, and heavy usage zones

• Agricultural: Farms and tube wells

• Others: Includes public lighting, railway traction, etc.

Each category has its own slab-wise or time-of-use rates, which ensures pricing reflects the type and scale of electricity usage.

By understanding NEPRA’s role, you’re one step closer to being an empowered consumer—capable of tracking updates, interpreting your electricity bill accurately, and planning smarter energy use.

Categories of Electricity Tariffs in Pakistan

Not all electricity is priced the same. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) sets different tariff categories to match the diverse needs of electricity users across Pakistan. Whether you’re lighting your home, running a shop, powering a factory, or using water pumps in agriculture—there’s a specific tariff designed for you.

Let’s break down each category and what it means for your electricity bill.

a. Residential Tariff

For households, NEPRA has designed a slab-wise billing structure that adjusts the rate based on how much electricity you use in a month. The more units you consume, the higher the rate per unit (kWh).

For example:

• Low users (1–100 units/month) pay lower residential electricity rates

• Medium users (101–300 units/month) fall into moderate slabs

• High users (above 300 units/month) are billed at higher rates

The good news? Subsidized electricity rates are provided for low-income and protected consumers using under 200 units per month. This helps ease the burden for families with minimal power usage.

Tip: Monitor your monthly consumption to stay within lower billing slabs whenever possible.

b. Commercial Tariff

Running a shop, salon, office, or small business? You fall under the commercial tariff category. These users are charged a different set of rates due to their consistent and sometimes higher energy demand.

Commercial power rates vary based on your connected sanctioned load. The greater the load (measured in kilowatts), the higher the rate bracket you fall into.

Unlike residential users, commercial consumers are not eligible for subsidies and typically pay higher per-unit prices—but understanding your load and usage pattern can still help reduce unnecessary costs.

c. Industrial Tariff

Factories, production units, and large-scale facilities fall into the industrial tariff category. These users consume electricity in bulk and often operate around the clock.

To manage this high demand, NEPRA implements time-of-use (ToU) pricing, where electricity costs vary depending on when it’s used:

• Peak hours = higher rates

• Off-peak hours = lower rates

This model encourages industries to shift their load to off-peak times, lowering both their bills and the strain on the national grid.

Industrial tariff plans are also load-based, so accurate calculation of your energy needs can result in significant savings.

⚙️ Dynamic pricing models are increasingly being adopted, especially for smart-metered industrial users.

d. Agricultural and Special Tariff Categories

Pakistan’s agriculture sector also benefits from tailored tariffs—especially for tube wells and irrigation pumps. These tariff adjustments are crucial for helping farmers manage rising electricity and fuel costs.

Agricultural users often receive energy consumption charges that are lower than those in commercial or residential brackets, making water access more affordable and crop production more sustainable.

Additionally, NEPRA provides special tariff options for public lighting, religious institutions, and other community services under its “other categories” section.

Final Thoughts: By understanding which tariff category you belong to, you can plan your usage more effectively, avoid excessive charges, and even take advantage of subsidies and off-peak pricing. Whether you’re a homeowner, shopkeeper, factory owner, or farmer—knowing your tariff type is the first step to smarter electricity consumption.

⏰ Time-of-Use (ToU) Tariffs: Smarter Electricity, Smarter Billing

Did you know that the time you use electricity can affect how much you pay for it? That’s the idea behind Time-of-Use (ToU) tariffs—a modern pricing system designed to reward smarter energy habits and reduce pressure on the national grid.

Instead of charging a flat rate all day, ToU billing changes the electricity cost per unit depending on when you’re using it. This means that electricity is more expensive during peak hours, and cheaper during off-peak hours.

What Are Peak and Off-Peak Hours?

• Peak Hours are the busiest times of the day when electricity demand is at its highest—typically in the evening when people return home, turn on lights, ACs, and appliances.

• Off-Peak Hours are low-demand times—usually during the night or early morning—when fewer people are using electricity.

Under a time-of-use billing structure:

• You pay higher rates during peak hours ()

• You pay lower rates during off-peak hours ()

These rates are part of the off-peak tariff schedule designed to encourage consumers to shift heavy usage (like laundry, water heating, or industrial machinery) to cheaper time slots.

The Role of Smart Metering

To make ToU pricing work smoothly, many households and businesses are being upgraded with smart meters. These advanced meters track your electricity usage in real-time and automatically apply the correct rates based on the time of day.

Smart metering offers several benefits:

• Transparent billing with no hidden charges

• Real-time monitoring of usage

• Accurate breakdown of peak vs. off-peak consumption

• Encourages energy-saving behavior

With a smart meter, you’re not just using electricity—you’re using it wisely.

Why Time-of-Use Tariffs Matter

ToU tariffs aren’t just about saving money—they’re about promoting energy efficiency, reducing nationwide load-shedding, and helping the environment by managing peak load demand.

For example:

• Running your washing machine or charging devices late at night can help you cut costs.

• Factories and businesses can schedule operations to benefit from off-peak tariff schedules.

By aligning your power usage with ToU pricing, you take control of your energy expenses and contribute to a more balanced, efficient power grid.

️ Seasonal and Fuel Price Adjustments: Why Your Electricity Bill Keeps Changing

Have you ever noticed your electricity bill going up in the summer—even when your usage stays nearly the same? You’re not alone. Many consumers across Pakistan wonder why their bills fluctuate so much throughout the year. The answer lies in two important mechanisms: seasonal electricity pricing and the Fuel Price Adjustment (FPA).

Let’s break them down in simple terms.

️ How Seasonal Demand Affects Tariff Rates

In hot summers, millions of air conditioners, fans, and coolers turn on at once, pushing up electricity demand across the country. Similarly, in winter, heaters and geysers add to the load. When demand goes up, the cost of producing and supplying electricity increases—especially if extra fuel is needed or imported power is used.

This is where seasonal electricity pricing comes in.
To meet high demand, power generation companies often have to burn more expensive fuel or use backup resources. These extra costs are reflected in your bill as part of tariff adjustments.

While the unit rates may remain the same, the overall cost per kWh increases due to seasonal surcharges, adjustments, and higher fuel usage.

⛽ What is Fuel Price Adjustment (FPA)?

One of the biggest contributors to fluctuating electricity bills is the Fuel Price Adjustment (FPA). It’s a monthly adjustment made to reflect the actual cost of fuel used in generating electricity.

Here’s how it works:

• Electricity producers use different fuels—like gas, coal, furnace oil, or even imported LNG—to generate power.

• If fuel prices go up globally or within Pakistan, NEPRA allows distribution companies (like IESCO) to recover those additional costs from consumers.

• This charge is listed separately on your electricity bill under the label “FPA.”

FPA charges are not fixed—they change every month, depending on global fuel markets and domestic energy policy.

Electricity Tax and Duties

Alongside seasonal and fuel-based charges, your bill also includes electricity tax and duties imposed by the government. These may include:

• General Sales Tax (GST)

• Financing surcharges

• NEPRA fees

• TV license fee

• Electricity duty (provincial tax)

While these taxes don’t fall under FPA, they do affect the final amount you pay each month.

What You Can Do

While you can’t control fuel prices or seasonal surcharges, you can manage how and when you use electricity:

• Reduce high-energy usage during peak seasons.

• Use energy-efficient appliances.

 Your electricity bill is not just about how many units you use—it’s also about when you use them and what the fuel market is doing. By staying informed about FPA charges and seasonal pricing trends, you’ll be better equipped to understand your bills and avoid surprises.

How to Read the Electricity Tariff Schedule (Without Getting Confused!)

Looking at an electricity tariff schedule for the first time can feel like reading a foreign language—tables, units, slabs, and technical terms everywhere! But don’t worry. Once you understand the basics of unit-wise billing, identifying your charges becomes much easier.

Let’s break it down step-by-step so you can read your electricity bill like a pro.

Understanding the Tariff Chart and Slabs

Every electricity consumer falls into a billing slab based on how many units (kWh) they consume in a billing month. The unit-wise billing method divides consumers into slabs so that those who use less electricity pay a lower rate per unit—and higher users are charged more.

Here’s an example of a typical residential slab structure:

Sr. No.	Tariff Category / Particulars	Fixed Charges Rs/Cons/M	Fixed Charges Rs/kW/M	Applicable Variable Charges Rs./kWh
A-1 GENERAL SUPPLY TARIFF – RESIDENTIAL
a)	For Sanctioned load up to 5 kW	–	–	–
	Protected
i	Up to 50 Units – Life Line	–	–	3.95
ii	01 – 100 Units – Life Line	–	–	7.74
iii	001 – 100 Units	–	–	10.54
iv	101 – 200 Units	–	–	13.01
	Un-Protected
v	1 – 100 Units	–	–	22.44
vi	101 – 200 Units	–	–	28.91
vii	201 – 300 Units	–	–	33.10
viii	301 – 400 Units	200	–	37.99
ix	401 – 500 Units	400	–	40.20
x	501 – 600 Units	600	–	41.62
xi	601 – 700 Units	800	–	42.76
xii	Above 700 Units	1000	–	47.69
b)	For Sanctioned load 5 kW & above – TOU	1000	–	Peak: 46.85 / Off-Peak: 40.53
c)	Pre-paid Residential Supply Tariff	1000	–	49.98
Minimum monthly customer charge: Rs. 75 (Single Phase), Rs. 150 (Three Phase)
A-2 GENERAL SUPPLY TARIFF – COMMERCIAL
a)	Sanctioned load up to 5 kW	1000	–	37.44
b)	Sanctioned load 5 kW & above	–	1250	40.91
c)	Time Of Use	–	1250	Peak: 43.82 / Off-Peak: 35.15
d)	Electric Vehicle Charging Station	–	–	23.57
e)	Pre-paid Commercial Supply Tariff	–	1250	47.10
A-3 GENERAL SERVICES
a)	General Services	1000	–	42.48
c)	Pre-paid General Services Supply Tariff	1000	–	51.30
B – INDUSTRIAL
B1	Up To 25 kW	1000	–	30.80
B2(a)	Exceeding 25-500 kW	–	1250	30.73
B1(b)	Upto 25 kW – TOU	1000	–	Peak: 36.74 / Off-Peak: 30.05
B2(b)	Exceeding 25-500 kW – TOU	–	1250	Peak: 36.68 / Off-Peak: 27.41
B3	All Loads up to 5000 kW (11,33 kV)	–	1250	Peak: 36.68 / Off-Peak: 28.24
B4	All Loads (66,132 kV & above)	–	1250	Peak: 36.68 / Off-Peak: 27.96
	Pre-paid Industrial Supply Tariff	–	1250	44.46
C – SINGLE-POINT SUPPLY
C-1a	Supply at 400/230V < 5kW	2000	–	43.39
C-1b	Supply at 400/230V >5kW & <=500kW	–	1250	40.63
C-2a	Supply at 11,33 kV up to 5000kW	–	1250	40.56
C-3a	Supply at 66kV+ above 5000kW	–	1250	40.77
C-1c	Supply at 400/230V >5kW – TOU	–	1250	Peak: 46.31 / Off-Peak: 37.54
C-2b	Supply at 11,33 kV – TOU	–	1250	Peak: 46.31 / Off-Peak: 36.03
C-3b	Supply at 66kV+ – TOU	–	1250	Peak: 46.31 / Off-Peak: 35.76
	Pre-paid Bulk Supply Tariff	–	1250	54.85
D – AGRICULTURE
D-1a	SCARP < 5 kW	–	–	39.87
D-2a	Agricultural Tube Wells	–	400	28.90
D-1b	SCARP ≥ 5 kW – TOU	–	400	Peak: 42.79 / Off-Peak: 34.71
D-2b	Agricultural ≥ 5 kW – TOU	–	400	Peak: 29.54 / Off-Peak: 28.69
	Pre-paid Agri & Scarp	–	400	37.36
E – TEMPORARY SUPPLY
E-1(i)	Residential	2000	–	57.94
E-1(ii)	Commercial	5000	–	53.44
E-2	Industrial	5000	–	42.25
F – SEASONAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY
	Tariff	125% of relevant industrial tariff
G – PUBLIC LIGHTING
G	Street Lighting	2000	–	42.91
H – RESIDENTIAL COLONIES (INDUSTRIAL)
H	Residential Colonies attached to industries	–	–	42.10
K – SPECIAL CONTRACTS
1	Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK)	–	1250	26.45
	AJK – TOU	–	1250	Peak: 28.85 / Off-Peak: 25.73
2	Rawat Lab	2000	–	42.25

Your bill is calculated using the rates that apply to each slab, not one flat rate for all your consumption. So, if you use 250 units, you’ll pay lower rates for the first 200 and a higher rate for the remaining 50.

This progressive system encourages energy conservation and fair billing for all.

How to Identify Your Billing Category

Before you even look at the tariff chart, it’s important to know your billing category. You can find this on your electricity bill—usually listed as “Tariff Type” or “Consumer Category.” Common categories include:

• Residential (Domestic)

• Commercial

• Industrial

• Agricultural

• Others (Street lighting, religious institutions, etc.)

Each category follows a different rate structure, and knowing yours ensures you’re checking the correct tariff schedule.

Pro Tip: If you think you’re being charged under the wrong category (e.g., commercial rates for a home), contact IESCO to file a correction.

Billing Cycle and Tariff Timing

Another factor is your billing cycle—usually monthly. Each new cycle starts a fresh count of your unit usage. So if you’re nearing the end of your billing period and already close to crossing into a higher slab, cutting back slightly can help you avoid unnecessary extra charges.

Keep an eye on:

• Reading dates (start and end of the billing cycle)

• Current meter reading

• Units consumed this cycle

This insight helps you better manage your electricity usage across the power supply billing period.

✅ Final Words

Understanding your tariff chart, slab system, and billing category isn’t just for accountants—it’s for everyone who wants to take charge of their energy costs. Whether you use 100 units or 1000, knowing where you fall helps you:

• Avoid overbilling

• Spot errors quickly

• Plan your usage more efficiently

At IESCO-Online-Bill.pk, we’re here to help you stay informed, aware, and empowered with everything you need to read and manage your electricity tariff schedule with confidence.

For the most up-to-date and detailed slab-wise rates, you can also refer to the official IESCO Tariff Guide.

❓ Common Questions About Electric Tariff Schedules (Answered Clearly)

Still confused about why your electricity bill keeps changing or how things like solar power and load shedding affect it? You’re not alone. Many consumers have similar questions about how electric tariff schedules work in real life.

Let’s address the most common ones in simple, easy-to-understand language—so you can stop guessing and start understanding your bill better.

⚡ Q1: What Affects Electricity Unit Rates?

Several factors impact how much you pay per unit (kWh) of electricity:

• Fuel costs: If the cost of coal, oil, or LNG increases, so does the electricity unit rate through Fuel Price Adjustments (FPA).

• Government policies: Subsidies for residential users can lower rates, while industrial tariffs may vary based on national energy strategies.

• Your usage slab: More consumption often pushes you into higher billing slabs with higher per-unit charges.

• Tariff category: Whether you’re residential, commercial, or industrial plays a big role in your unit pricing.

• Energy mix: Pakistan uses a combination of hydro, thermal, solar, and imported fuels to generate electricity. Changes in the energy mix can affect overall power costs, which reflect in consumer tariffs.

So yes—your unit rate isn’t always the same. It’s dynamic and affected by multiple real-world factors.

Q2: How Does Load Shedding Impact Electricity Pricing?

While load shedding doesn’t directly increase your per-unit rate, it can have indirect effects on pricing in the long term.

When demand exceeds supply, utilities may rely on expensive backup generators or fuel-based solutions to maintain supply for critical areas. These higher costs trickle down into tariff adjustments—especially during peak seasons or crisis periods.

In short, more load shedding often indicates a stressed power system, which could lead to increased electricity tariff adjustments in the following months.

Also, planned load shedding schedules can affect your electricity usage patterns, pushing more of your consumption into peak hour billing slots, which are more expensive under Time-of-Use (ToU) tariffs.

☀️ Q3: Is Net Metering Included in Tariff Schedules?

Yes, absolutely!

Net metering allows households or businesses with solar panels to send excess electricity back to the grid—and get credit for it. NEPRA has created a separate framework for electricity pricing under net metering, which defines:

• How much credit you receive for each unit you export

• What tariff rate applies when you consume grid electricity

• How monthly net usage is calculated (imported vs. exported units)

Net metering users still receive a monthly bill, but the charges reflect the net units consumed, and the tariff schedule includes specific slabs for this system.

It’s a fantastic way to reduce dependency on the grid and lower your electricity costs—while also contributing to a cleaner energy mix in Pakistan.

Latest Electricity Tariff Schedule in Pakistan (2025 Update)

Staying up to date with the latest NEPRA tariff schedule is essential for every electricity consumer—whether you’re a homeowner, small business, or industrial unit. Electricity prices can change based on fuel costs, seasonal demand, or new policies issued by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA).

To make things easier, we’ve summarized the most recent unit-wise billing rates across residential, commercial, and industrial categories below.

Domestic Tariff Rates (IESCO)

Note: These are NEPRA-approved IESCO rates as per the latest 2025 notification. Charges may vary slightly by region or billing cycle.

Commercial Tariff Rates

⚠️ Additional taxes and surcharges (like FPA, TV fee, and GST) may apply based on monthly usage.

Industrial Tariff Rates

NEPRA adjusts these rates quarterly, considering the fuel cost component and the energy mix used in power generation.

Comparison with Other DISCOs

Tariff schedules may differ slightly across distribution companies like:

• LESCO (Lahore Electric Supply Company)

• KE (K-Electric Karachi)

• FESCO, GEPCO, MEPCO, and others

We recommend checking with your specific DISCO or visiting NEPRA’s official website for the most accurate rates based on your region.

Smart Tips to Manage Your Electricity Costs Efficiently

In today’s era of rising electricity unit rates and frequent tariff adjustments, it’s more important than ever to learn how to cut down on your monthly electric bills—without compromising your comfort.

Whether you’re living in a small home or managing a commercial setup, the right habits and tools can make a significant difference. Here are some practical, real-world tips to help you reduce your electricity costs while maximizing energy efficiency.

1. Switch to Energy-Efficient Appliances

Old or outdated appliances often consume more power than you realize. Opting for energy-efficient appliances—such as inverter ACs, LED bulbs, and energy-star-rated refrigerators—can dramatically lower your electricity consumption.

Did you know? A 5-star inverter AC can use up to 40% less energy compared to a regular unit. That’s a direct saving on your power unit rate every month.

⏰ 2. Monitor and Avoid Peak Hour Usage

With Time-of-Use (ToU) electricity pricing, your bill depends on when you use power, not just how much.

• Peak hours usually fall between 6 PM to 10 PM, when electricity demand is highest.

• Off-peak hours, typically at night or early morning, have lower per unit charges.

Shifting heavy appliance usage (like washing machines, irons, or water motors) to off-peak times helps avoid the high peak hour electricity charges.

✅ Tip: Check your electricity bill or smart meter display for exact ToU tariff details provided by IESCO or your local DISCO.

3. Understand Your Smart Meter Readings

If you have a smart meter installed, you’re already one step ahead! These digital meters help track your consumption patterns in real time, allowing you to:

• Monitor daily and hourly energy use

• Get alerts for excessive consumption

• Better align usage with time-of-use billing benefits

Understanding your smart meter can help you plan your routine around off-peak electricity tariffs, leading to consistent cost savings.

4. Compare Bills and Watch for Fuel Price Adjustments

Always review your bill details carefully. Watch for Fuel Price Adjustments (FPA) and sudden changes in electricity taxes and duties. Comparing your current bill with the last few months helps identify unusual spikes or wasteful habits.

5. Build Energy-Saving Habits

Sometimes the simplest habits lead to the biggest savings:

• Turn off lights, fans, and chargers when not in use.

• Use natural light during the day.

• Set your AC thermostat to 26°C for optimal efficiency.

• Unplug appliances that draw phantom energy when idle.

These small steps contribute to long-term savings and promote a more sustainable energy mix across Pakistan.

Frequently Asked Questions