ISLAMABAD, August 8, 2025 — In a move aimed at easing the burden on the country’s low- and middle-income households, the government is considering a proposal to expand the protected electricity slab from 200 to 300 units per month.
According to official sources, the suggestion has been presented at the federal level as part of efforts to address growing public frustration over soaring electricity bills. If approved, the change could bring long-awaited relief to millions of domestic consumers who are currently pushed out of the subsidized category for exceeding the 200-unit limit by even a single unit.
The issue was reportedly raised by several members of the National Assembly in a recent meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Lawmakers described the current billing system as “unjust and financially punishing,” particularly for households barely crossing the protected threshold.
“At 200 units, a family receives a subsidy, but if they consume 201 units, they are billed at the full non-protected rate,” one member pointed out. “This leads to a sudden increase of up to Rs. 5,000 in monthly bills a jump that’s impossible for most low-income families to absorb.”
Currently, domestic consumers using up to 200 units benefit from government subsidies under the protected slab. However, once that limit is exceeded, even slightly, the entire bill is recalculated at a significantly higher rate a policy many say lacks fairness and puts unnecessary strain on already struggling households.
In response to the growing concerns, sources confirm that the government is actively considering the formation of a high-level committee to examine the matter thoroughly. The committee would be tasked with assessing the impact of the current system and submitting formal recommendations on expanding the subsidized slab to 300 units.
While no final decision has yet been announced, the proposal is being seen as a positive step toward easing the financial stress of electricity costs for the average Pakistani household. If implemented, it could help bridge a major affordability gap and restore a sense of fairness to the billing structure.
The coming weeks will likely determine whether this measure becomes a reality and whether meaningful relief is finally on the horizon for the country’s electricity consumers.
