How your electricity bill is calculated in Pakistan

Kitwise guide · updated 2026-10-29

Why did the bill jump when you used just one more unit? This guide explains the slabs, the extra charges and the taxes on a domestic bill from LESCO, MEPCO, IESCO, GEPCO, FESCO, PESCO, HESCO, SEPCO, QESCO or TESCO, with a worked example.

1. Your category: lifeline, protected or un-protected

• Lifeline: homes that use 100 units or less get the lowest rates.
• Protected: homes that used 200 units or less in each of the last six months. They pay protected rates, slab by slab: the first 100 units at the first rate, the rest at the second rate.
• Un-protected: everyone else. Every unit is charged at the rate of the slab the month reaches. One month above 200 units also ends protected status for the next six months.

2. The energy charge

For un-protected homes this is the part that jumps. With the rates notified in February 2026, 200 units cost 200 × Rs 28.91 = Rs 5,782, but 201 units cost 201 × Rs 33.10 = Rs 6,653: one extra unit adds about Rs 870 before taxes.

3. The other lines on the bill

• Fixed charge: from 2026 domestic consumers pay a monthly charge per kW of sanctioned load (for example Rs 350 per kW in the 201–300 slab).
• Fuel price adjustment (FPA): a per-unit amount NEPRA sets every month; it can be plus or minus.
• Financing cost surcharge: a per-unit surcharge (Rs 3.23 for un-protected homes).
• Electricity duty: a provincial duty, 1.5% of the energy charge in Punjab, Sindh and Islamabad.
• GST 18% on the energy charge and the other charges, and the PTV fee of Rs 35.

4. A worked example

An un-protected home with a 2 kW load uses 250 units, with no fuel adjustment that month: energy 250 × Rs 33.10 = Rs 8,275; fixed charge 2 × Rs 350 = Rs 700; surcharge 250 × Rs 3.23 = Rs 807.50; duty 1.5% = Rs 124; GST 18% = Rs 1,783; PTV fee Rs 35. The estimate is about Rs 11,725.

Tip: Keep the meter below the next slab near the end of the billing month. For un-protected homes, staying at 200 instead of 201 units saves far more than one unit’s price.

Rates and adjustments change during the year, and your bill can include arrears, income tax for non-filers or quarterly adjustments. Use the calculator with your own units and load, and type the rate from your bill if it is different.