The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) on Tuesday announced a mixed update in electricity tariffs, cutting prices by Rs0.88 per unit under the October monthly fuel adjustment, while increasing rates by Rs0.33 per unit under the first quarterly adjustment for the current fiscal year.

The monthly reduction will provide relief to electricity consumers in December bills, including K-Electric customers, though lifeline, protected consumers, and electric vehicle charging stations are exempt from the cut.

NEPRA included an additional note from Member Technical Rafiq Shaikh, who warned that inefficiencies by power companies should not be passed onto consumers.

He cited the operation of Guddu 747 plant on open-cycle, which resulted in over Rs1.21 billion in extra costs.

In contrast, the quarterly adjustment for the first three months of the fiscal year has increased electricity rates by Rs0.33 per unit.

The additional charges will apply to government power companies and K-Electric, affecting bills from December to February, and are expected to impose an extra burden of more than Rs6 billion on consumers.

NEPRA has sent the quarterly adjustment decision to the federal government for implementation.

Consumers will experience the simultaneous effect of both adjustments, receiving relief from the monthly fuel adjustment while facing higher costs under the quarterly review.