Govt set to hike power tariff by Rs4.96 per unit

In response to the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) transfer of $1.2 billion under the recently authorized $3 billion bailout accord, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) plans to raise electricity base tariffs for the current fiscal year 2023-24.

According to sources close to the situation, the regulator will raise the power base cost by Rs4.96 per unit. "The power regulatory authority will forward its decision to the federal cabinet today," they said, adding that cabinet will make the ultimate decision on the power tariff rise.

Previously, NEPRA had produced three options for a new basic tariff: less than Rs. 8 per unit, less than Rs. 7 per unit, and less than Rs. 6 per unit. Earlier, it determined the base tariff increase of up to Rs. 5 per unit.