Pakistani households were braced for a steep electricity price hike in June 2026, but government intervention managed to keep bills largely unchanged, even as a separate NEPRA review could bring a small increase for May’s fuel cost adjustment.
A Major Hike Was Avoided
The Power Division said timely government action prevented a projected tariff increase of Rs5 to Rs6 per unit for June 2026 bills. The hike had been expected after Brent crude prices surged from a projected 70 dollars per barrel to 120 dollars per barrel in April 2026, driven partly by regional tensions tied to the Iran-US conflict.
How the Government Managed It
Officials said additional domestic gas allocations, greater use of furnace oil and imported coal-fired plants, and balanced load management helped contain the actual fuel adjustment for April at just Rs1.73 per unit, far below the feared Rs5 to Rs6 spike. This is estimated to have saved consumers around Rs38 billion in April alone.
A Small NEPRA Review Pending
Separately, the Central Power Purchasing Agency has filed a request with NEPRA for a Rs0.82 per unit increase tied to May’s fuel cost adjustment, expected to be reviewed on June 30. If approved, this would add an estimated Rs12 billion in costs across consumers nationwide, though it is far smaller than the originally feared hike.
What Consumers Are Actually Paying
As of June 2026, lifeline consumers using up to 50 units pay around Rs8.95 per unit, while non-protected consumers using over 700 units can pay up to Rs47.69 per unit. NEPRA also approved an additional surcharge of Rs3.82 per unit between March and June 2026, following an IMF advisory to raise electricity prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did electricity prices increase in June 2026?
No major hike occurred. Government intervention prevented a feared Rs5 to Rs6 per unit increase, though a smaller Rs0.82 adjustment is under NEPRA review for late June.
What is the current electricity price range in Pakistan?
Rates range from Rs8.95 per unit for lifeline consumers to Rs47.69 per unit for high-usage non-protected consumers.
Why were prices expected to rise sharply?
A surge in Brent crude prices to 120 dollars per barrel, driven by regional tensions, had been expected to push up fuel cost adjustments significantly.
