Relief for K-Electric consumers as July, August bills payment deadline extended

Pakistanis are bearing brunt of inflated power bills, with many unable to pay the amount, and now K-Electric extended the deadline on July bills.

K-Electric, the country’s largest power utility supplying electricity to over 20 million people, announced a 10-day extension for payment of electricity bills at directions from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The extension applies to bills due in July and August, aligning with similar adjustments made by other power distribution companies in the country.

The company said customers who have already paid their bills with a late payment fee will receive a credit on their next bill.

The extension follows accusations against power distribution companies, including K-Electric, of overcharging consumers. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) disclosed that an inquiry found evidence of overbilling during the April to June 2024 period.

K-Electric Bill Payments

Last month, K-Electric requested NEPRA to increase base electricity tariff in Karachi from Rs 33 to Rs 44 as part of a $2 billion investment plan to build fourteen new grid stations and install 550 kilometers of transmission lines over seven years to improve the city’s power infrastructure.

In a recent online hearing, K-Electric assured that the tariff increase would not affect consumers due to a uniform rate policy. While there was opposition from stakeholders, K-Electric emphasized that a flexible, annually reviewed tariff approach would be beneficial.

The investment plan is intended to meet growing electricity demands and ensure a reliable power supply in Karachi.