Understanding Your IESCO Electricity Bill Charges
Reading an electricity bill in Pakistan can seem complicated due to numerous taxes, regulatory surcharges, and variable adjustments. This guide provides a line-by-line explanation of every charge featured on your IESCO duplicate bill.
1. Units Consumed (kWh) & Meter Readings
The core electricity cost is determined by your total units consumed in kilowatt-hours (kWh). The bill displays your previous reading, current reading, and the difference representing total monthly consumption.
2. NEPRA Tariff Slabs & Protection Categories
Base electricity tariffs are determined by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA). Residential consumers are split into two categories:
| Category | Monthly Unit Range | Tariff Slab Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Protected Consumer | 0 – 200 Units | Subsidized base per-unit rates for consistent low-consumption households. |
| Unprotected Consumer | 201 – 300 Units | Standard slab rates apply with incremental rate tier increases. |
| High Consumption Tier | 301 – 700+ Units | Highest per-unit tariff tier with additional surcharge multipliers. |
3. IESCO Peak & Off-Peak Hours (TOU Billing)
For consumers with 3-phase digital meters or sanctioned loads exceeding 5 kW, IESCO operates under Time-of-Use (TOU) Tariff Slabs. Under TOU billing, electricity consumed during high-demand "peak hours" carries a significantly higher per-unit tariff than off-peak hours.
- Summer (April to September): Peak hours typically run from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
- Winter (October to March): Peak hours typically run from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
* Shift high-power domestic appliances (water pumps, electric irons, ACs, washing machines) to off-peak hours to reduce your monthly bill. You can calculate estimated slab rates using our IESCO Bill Calculator.
4. Fuel Price Adjustment (FPA) & Tariff Surcharges
Fuel Price Adjustment (FPA / FCA) is a monthly variable charge mandated by NEPRA to reconcile fluctuations in thermal fuel costs (imported coal, RLNG, furnace oil) incurred during electricity generation in preceding billing cycles.
- • NEPRA approves Rs 0.75/unit FCA hike for August 2026 bills – Impact by unit slab.
- • CPPA seeks Rs 2.52/unit hike – Difference between Base Tariff, FCA, and QTA explained.
- • NEPRA weighing Rs 1.34/unit QTA hike – What it means for your next 3 bills.
5. Government Taxes & Surcharges
- General Sales Tax (GST): Applied on total energy charges and fuel adjustments at standard statutory tax rates.
- Electricity Duty (ED): A provincial tax levied on total energy consumption.
- TV License Fee: A fixed fee of 35 PKR included on residential connections.
- Late Payment Surcharge: A 10% penalty added if payment is submitted after the designated due date.