K-Electric (KE) has requested a rate increase of Rs 5.45 per unit for city consumers, further straining already burdened households.
The power utility submitted the hike proposal to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) under the monthly fuel adjustment.
This increase is expected to add over Rs 10 billion in additional costs for Karachi residents. KE asked NEPRA to approve Rs 2.53 per unit for May’s adjustment and Rs 2.92 per unit for June. NEPRA will hold a hearing on the KE’s plea on July 30.
Earlier, Pakistan’s business community leaders demanded a reduction in power rates. The chambers of commerce from Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Faisalabad urged the government to address the issue, emphasizing the burden of 2,100 billion rupees in capacity charges this year.
The Senior Vice President of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FCCI), Sajjad Arshad, stated that traders are not rioters, but the situation is dire. He warned that if the problem is not resolved promptly, it could spiral out of control. “130 independent power producers (IPPs) operating in the country,” he added.
