How to Read Your Pakistan Electricity Bill — Every Line Explained (2026)

Your Pakistan electricity bill looks confusing the first time — a wall of numbers, codes, and charges. But every single line has a specific meaning, and once you understand the structure, you can instantly spot errors, understand why your bill went up, and calculate what you actually owe. This guide breaks down every section of a standard WAPDA DISCO bill (LESCO, MEPCO, GEPCO, FESCO, IESCO, PESCO, HESCO, SEPCO, QESCO, or TESCO) line by line.

The Top Section — Your Consumer Identity

The top of your bill contains five critical pieces of information you should save in your phone:

• Reference Number (14 digits): Your permanent account identifier. Never changes. Used to check bills online, pay through apps, and contact your DISCO.
• Consumer Name: The name registered on the connection. If this is wrong, contact your DISCO to correct it — required for many official purposes.
• Tariff Type: Usually shown as A-1 (domestic protected), A-2 (domestic unprotected), B (commercial), or C (industrial). Your category determines your rate per unit.
• Sanctioned Load (kW): The maximum power your connection is licensed for. If you run appliances exceeding this, DISCO can penalize you.
• Connection Date: When your connection was established — useful for warranty or meter age disputes.

Meter Reading Section

This section shows your electricity consumption for the billing period:

• Previous Reading: Meter reading at the end of the previous billing month.
• Present Reading: Meter reading at the end of this billing month.
• Units Consumed: Present Reading minus Previous Reading. This is the base number all charges are calculated on.
• Multiplication Factor (MF): Usually 1 for domestic consumers. Industrial consumers with CT meters may have MF of 10, 20, or higher — units on the meter are multiplied by MF for billing.
• Billing Month: Which month's consumption this bill covers.

Energy Charges — The Core of Your Bill

Pakistan uses a progressive slab tariff. The more units you consume, the higher your per-unit rate for those additional units. As of 2026, protected domestic consumers (average ≤200 units/month) pay approximately Rs 13.48/unit for the first 100 units and Rs 18.58 for 101–200 units. Unprotected consumers face rates starting at Rs 23.59 and going up to Rs 48.84/unit for above 700 units.

For a detailed breakdown of every tariff slab and the latest 2026 rates, see our complete Electricity Tariff 2026 guide. The slab structure is the single biggest reason your per-unit rate can vary dramatically month-to-month.

Additional Charges — Every Line Explained

Below your energy charges, you will see a list of surcharges and taxes. Here is what each one means:

FPA / FCA — Fuel Price Adjustment

The single most complained-about charge in Pakistan. FPA is added or subtracted monthly based on the difference between the reference fuel cost (built into your tariff) and the actual fuel cost that month. When fuel prices rise — imported LNG, furnace oil — FPA adds extra charges. When fuel prices fall, it can reduce your bill. NEPRA announces the FPA for each month after a public hearing. FPA for June 2026 is approximately Rs 0.48/unit. Read our complete FPA guide.

FC Surcharge — Financing Cost Surcharge

This charge recovers the financing cost Pakistan incurred from circular debt accumulated in the power sector. Added on every unit of electricity consumed. Currently Rs 0.43/unit. It is a fixed amount regardless of your slab.

Electricity Duty

A provincial tax charged at 1.5% of your total consumption charges (before surcharges and GST). Goes to the provincial government, not the DISCO.

NJ Surcharge — Neelum-Jhelum Surcharge

A dedicated recovery surcharge to repay the loan taken for the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project (969 MW) in AJK. Currently Rs 0.10/unit for all consumers nationwide.

TV Fee

A flat Rs 35/month charge for domestic consumers — a fee for PTV (Pakistan Television Corporation) collected through electricity bills under the PTV Finance Act. Commercial connections are exempt. If you have no TV, you still pay this unless you file a formal exemption with your DISCO.

Meter Rent

A monthly charge for the electricity meter owned by the DISCO. The meter belongs to the DISCO, not to you. Current meter rent is approximately Rs 1,000/month for standard domestic meters (revised upward in 2025). Smart meter rent may differ.

GST — General Sales Tax

17% GST applies to the total of energy charges plus most surcharges. GST is calculated on the sum of consumption charges, FPA, NJ surcharge, and FC surcharge — not on taxes like Electricity Duty which is itself a tax.

Late Payment Surcharge (LPS)

If your previous month's bill was paid after the due date, you see a 10% surcharge on the unpaid amount here. Pay before the due date always to avoid this charge.

Due Date and Payment Section

Your bill has two dates: the Issue Date (when the bill was generated) and the Due Date (the deadline to pay without surcharge). Most DISCOs give a 7-day grace period after the due date before disconnection — but the 10% LPS applies from day 1 after the due date. K-Electric's grace period is only 3 days. For all payment options, see our online bill payment guide.

Arrears Section

If you owe money from previous months, it shows here as arrears. Arrears are added to your current bill's total. If you see a large arrears figure you do not recognize, visit your DISCO sub-division office with past bills to verify and dispute if necessary. For the dispute process, see our bill correction guide.

Quick Reference — All Charges at a Glance

How to Check Your Bill Online Right Now

Now that you understand every line, check your actual bill using our free tool. Find your DISCO below:

Frequently Asked Questions