Prime Minister Shehbaz Shari has announced a three-month electricity relief package – “Bijli Sahulat” package – for consumers in the winter season when the consumption of the basic utility is very low amid high per unit cost.

“The government has decided to provide an electricity relief package on the additional consumption of power for the three months of winter, December, January, and February,” he said while addressing an event to honour poet Allama Iqbal on the eve of his birth anniversary.

Under the plan, the premier said that a “desirable” reduction is being made in the electricity prices. The electricity relief package would be implemented in “bills from December 2024 to February 2025.”

A flat rate of Rs26.07 per unit would be offered for any additional electricity to the household consumers, the premier said and added: “The household consumers will save from Rs11.42 per unit to Rs26 per unit.”

PM Shehbaz added that there are different slabs for electricity consumers.

Moreover, the industrial sector would save up to Rs5.72 per unit to Rs15 per unit. “Hopefully, the industrial will accelerate and people will get livelihood opportunities.”

According to the premier, the industrial sector would be able to save up to 18% to 37% in electricity tariffs.

In addition to this, commercial consumers would save from Rs13.46 per unit to Rs22 per unit in tariffs. “They would save 34% to 47% on incremental electricity usage,” he said and added that the reduction in the cost of electricity would boost industries, agriculture, and business, and help boost exports.

In August, MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar claimed that a relief mechanism related to the electricity and agreements with the independent power producers were in the offing.

“Whether the government conveyed it or not, my reliable reports say that Inshallah,” he said while speaking about relief on the electricity bills on Rubaroo which was aired on Aaj News on August 23.

On Thursday, the Power Division announced via X that the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has implemented a reduction of Rs1.28 per unit in electricity charges, attributed to adjustments in fuel prices for September.

In a related development, NEPRA had previously approved an increase of Rs1.743 per unit in electricity rates nationwide for a period from September to November. This increase aims to generate Rs43.23 billion in funds for the former WAPDA distribution companies.

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“The government is committed to fostering increased industrial and commercial activity as a driver of economic growth,” according to the statement.

“Households will also benefit from the discounted rate for additional winter electricity consumption, making it an attractive option for heating and other energy needs that would otherwise rely on gas.”

The Power Division added that it would continue introducing new schemes to maximise electricity usage and support Pakistan’s economic growth.