How to Find PESCO Reference Number — Where is it on Your Bill?
Quick Answer: The PESCO reference number is a 14-digit number on the top-right of your bill labeled "Ref. No." — directly above the barcode. It contains only digits, no letters.
To check your Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) electricity bill online — whether you live in Peshawar, Mardan, Charsadda, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Swat, or any other settled district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — you need your 14-digit reference number. This is the unique identifier that lets any bill-checking service retrieve your account from PESCO's database. The reference number never changes for your connection, so once you've found it on any previous bill, you can use it forever. This guide shows exactly where on the bill to find it, what the number looks like, and how to recover it if you've lost all your old bills.
Where Exactly is the PESCO Reference Number?
On every PESCO electricity bill, look at the top section of the page. On the right side, you will find a bold number labeled "Ref. No." or "Reference No." — this is your 14-digit reference number. It is always printed directly above or next to the barcode on the bill, in the same position every month.
// PESCO Bill — Top Right Section
┌─────────────────────────────────┐
│ PESCO Electricity Bill │
│ Consumer: [Your Name] │
│ District: Peshawar │
│ ┌──────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Ref. No: 01234567890123 │ │ ← Here!
│ │ Customer ID: 1234567890 │ │
│ └──────────────────────────┘ │
│ [████████ BARCODE ████████] │
└─────────────────────────────────┘
The reference number is printed in bold, larger font than the surrounding text so it stands out. Position is identical on every PESCO bill — old bills from previous years have it in the same spot.
What Does the PESCO Reference Number Look Like?
- Always exactly 14 digits — never more, never less
- Only numbers — no letters (A, B, C) or dashes
- Example:
01234567890123 - Printed in bold near the top-right of your bill
- Labeled "Ref. No." or "Reference No."
- Stays the same every month (only changes if feeder reassigned — very rare)
- PESCO reference numbers typically begin with digits 5–7 (KP regional prefix)
Can't Find Your PESCO Reference Number?
If you've lost all previous bills, here are the recovery options:
1. Check any old bill
Your reference number never changes. Any previous PESCO bill — even one from years ago — has the same reference number. Ask family, neighbors, or your landlord if they have an old bill from your connection.
2. Use your 10-digit Customer ID
The PESCO Customer ID also works on our bill checker. Click the "Customer ID" tab on pakistanbill.online/pesco-bill/ and enter your 10-digit ID. The Customer ID is printed just below the reference number on every bill.
3. Call PESCO helpline 111-000-118 or 091-9201888
Provide your CNIC number, full name, and address. The customer service representative can retrieve your reference number after verifying your identity.
4. Visit your nearest PESCO circle office
Bring your CNIC and proof of residence. PESCO circle offices exist in Peshawar (HQ, Shami Road), Mardan, Charsadda, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Swat, Kohat, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan.
5. Check mobile wallet payment history
If you've ever paid your PESCO bill via JazzCash, EasyPaisa, or a bank app, the reference number is saved in your payment history. Open the app → Payment History → look for past utility bill payments.
PESCO Reference Number vs Customer ID
PESCO bills display two different identifiers. Knowing the difference helps when checking bills and filing complaints:
| Feature | Reference Number | Customer ID |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 14 digits | 10 digits |
| Position on bill | Top-right (above barcode) | Top-right (below reference) |
| Changes over time? | Only if feeder reassigned | Never |
| Used for | Online bill check, payment | Account identification, complaints |
| Works on our checker? | Yes (default tab) | Yes (Customer ID tab) |
| Accepted at banks? | Yes | No — banks need reference |
Common Mistakes When Entering the Reference Number
- Missing leading zero: When copy-pasting, the first "0" often gets cut off. Always count the digits — must be exactly 14.
- Entering the Customer ID by mistake: Customer ID is 10 digits and won't work in the reference number field. Use the Customer ID tab instead.
- Confusing meter number with reference number: Meter number is printed separately and identifies the physical meter. Reference number is digits-only.
- Entering dashes or spaces: The system rejects special characters. Enter 14 digits without any separators.
- Using a TESCO reference on the PESCO checker: TESCO covers tribal areas; PESCO covers settled KP. Different databases, won't work.