In an effort to address longstanding complaints about inflated electricity bills, the Pakistani government has introduced the “Apna Meter Apni Reading” initiative. The scheme allows consumers to submit their own electricity meter readings through digital platforms, reducing reliance on manual readings that often lead to billing errors.
Federal Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan announced the program while clarifying that the government currently has no plans to revise electricity tariff slabs. The move comes as part of broader reforms aimed at increasing transparency in the power sector and restoring public trust in billing systems.
The announcement followed a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Power, where lawmakers debated various energy sector issues. Committee member Rana Muhammad Hayat questioned whether electricity prices would be reduced in the upcoming fiscal year, to which NEPRA officials responded that tariffs would likely remain unchanged for the time being.
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During discussions, Hayat pointed out disparities in government relief measures, noting that while industrial consumers received a 30% subsidy, the agricultural sector was excluded from such benefits. Power Division officials explained that industrial relief came from adjustments to cross-subsidies rather than new government funding.
The meeting also revealed some administrative confusion, with committee member Raja Qamar-ul-Islam receiving Petroleum Division documents instead of the intended Power Committee materials – highlighting coordination challenges within the energy sector.
While the self-metering scheme provides consumers with more control over their billing, experts caution that deeper structural reforms in power generation and distribution will be needed to fully resolve Pakistan’s energy sector challenges. The government maintains that comprehensive power sector reforms are being developed to ensure long-term stability and efficiency.
The “Apna Meter Apni Reading” initiative represents the first phase of what officials describe as a multi-step process to modernize Pakistan’s electricity infrastructure and billing systems. Consumers will be able to access the new digital submission platforms starting next month.
