Pakistanis are charged about two-thirds of electricity bill above production cost
ISLAMABAD: Citizens of Pakistan have to pay about two-thirds of their electricity bills in taxes and other surcharges on top of the real cost of the power production.
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA)’s documents have revealed that consumers have paid Rs366.18 billion more than the actual cost.
It apprised that electricity of 119.72 billion units was generated for the year and it cost Rs561 billion, while the users have paid Rs961 billion for the consumption which includes taxes, surcharges and profits of producers and distributors.
Quarterly adjustments of Rs 1.58, Neelum-Jhelum surcharge of Rs0.10 and fuel surcharge of Rs0.43 are charged on each unit, while Rs35 are deducted from consumer’s bill every month as TV license fee. Moreover, 17 percent GST and 1.5 percent electricity duty is also levied in the bill.
“The surcharges amounted to Rs 252.60 billion for the year, while TV license fees totaled Rs 9.80 billion and GST of Rs 103.78 billion was collected,” Samaa TV website relayed quoting the documents.
