Winter Power Relief: PM Shehbaz Sharif Launches Bijli Sahulat Package for Electricity Consumers

On Friday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the Bijli Sahulat Package, an initiative aimed at reducing electricity costs for Pakistani consumers during the winter months. Under this package, significant relief will be provided to domestic, commercial, and industrial consumers from December through February.

Relief Details of the Bijli Sahulat Package

The Bijli Sahulat Package offers:

• Domestic consumers: Up to Rs. 26 per unit reduction
• Commercial consumers: Up to Rs. 22.71 per unit reduction
• Industrial consumers: Up to Rs. 15.05 per unit reduction

This relief will be granted to consumers who use at least 25% more electricity compared to the previous winter season. The incentive encourages households and businesses to use more power during the winter months, as they’ll benefit from reduced rates on any additional usage beyond last year’s consumption.

Addressing Rising Energy Costs

The package arrives amid the recent announcement of a likely hike in electricity rates nationwide. A proposal submitted to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) includes an additional Rs. 8.72 billion burden on consumers for the first quarter of the current fiscal year due to rising energy costs. NEPRA will review this proposal in a hearing scheduled for November 20.

With this dual approach, the government aims to provide temporary relief while working to address ongoing energy price challenges for consumers across Pakistan.