Consumers claimed they had seen enough from their electricity bills, but another possible blow looms. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) is contemplating a proposed Rs2.52 per unit increase in the monthly fuel cost adjustment for July 2026, which could further burden the monthly bills of electricity consumers across Pakistan.

The proposal has been presented by the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) and NEPRA is to consider the request. However, the proposed increase is not final and will be subject to the decision of the regulator after examining the data submitted.

The CPPA application showed that the cost of generation of electricity was high in July. Cost of power generation through diesel was about Rs50 per unit while generation through imported coal was estimated at Rs54.47 per unit. Power from imported LNG was priced at about Rs 47.37 a unit.

These figures highlight the continuing cost pressures facing Pakistan’s power sector—but for everyday consumers, the more pressing question is a simple one: how much more can household budgets take?

The latest proposal comes shortly after NEPRA approved an increase of Rs0.75 per unit under the monthly fuel cost adjustment for June. The hike was lower than the Rs1.20 per unit that CPPA had initially asked for and would apply to K-Electric consumers too.

Before this, NEPRA had approved another increase of Rs0.34 per unit under the May adjustment.

“Consumers who are already struggling with high electricity bills, repeated tariff adjustments can feel like a never-ending cycle. Each additional rupee per unit can substantially increase the bill, particularly for households and businesses that consume a lot of power.

But the Rs2.52 hike was still a proposal and not a final decision.”

NEPRA’s review will determine whether consumers are actually paying the full proposed increase, a reduced adjustment or something else.

Today, the question is not whether electricity costs are going up, but whether Pakistan's power system can be made efficient enough to stop consumers from paying for the same thing again and again.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)