The Silent Burden: Pakistan’s People Crushed by Soaring Electricity Bills

 The Silent Burden: Pakistan’s People Crushed by Soaring Electricity Bills

Introduction

In recent years, electricity bills have become an unbearable burden for millions of Pakistanis. From urban households to rural communities, the sharp rise in tariffs, paired with economic instability and mismanagement, has left ordinary citizens struggling to keep the lights on—both literally and financially. This is not just a matter of energy policy; it's a human crisis.

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The Rise of the Unaffordable Bill

Electricity prices in Pakistan have seen an unprecedented surge due to multiple factors: heavy reliance on imported fuel, the devaluation of the rupee, circular debt in the power sector, and policy failures. Each month, families receive electricity bills that far exceed their income, leaving them with impossible choices—pay for power or for food, education, and healthcare.

“We barely earn Rs. 25,000 a month. Last month, our electricity bill alone was Rs. 16,000. How do they expect us to live?”
— A factory worker from Lahore

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Urban vs. Rural: A Shared Struggle

While urban residents may deal with excessive bills and overbilling errors, rural areas face both high charges and unreliable supply. Power outages lasting 8 to 16 hours are common, yet bills arrive regularly—often inflated with hidden taxes and estimated meter readings.

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Why Are Bills So High?

1. Fuel Price Adjustments (FPA): Indexed to global oil prices, the FPA adds thousands to monthly bills.

2. Multiple Surcharges: NEPRA and government-imposed duties inflate base charges.

3. Inefficiency & Theft: Poor infrastructure and electricity theft are paid for by honest consumers.

4. Privatization & Debt: IMF conditions and circular debt of over Rs. 2 trillion shift the cost burden to the public.

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The Psychological Toll

The stress of unaffordable bills is causing mental health challenges. Families face humiliation over unpaid dues, constant fear of disconnection, and deep anxiety about their future.

“We live in darkness some nights just to save units. My children do homework with candles.”
— A schoolteacher in Multan

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Protests & Public Outcry

Across Pakistan, people are taking to the streets. From Karachi to Peshawar, citizens burn bills, hold sit-ins, and demand government intervention. Yet, relief is minimal or temporary, and structural issues remain unresolved.

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What Needs to Change

• Transparent Billing & Audits

• Investment in Renewable Energy

• Subsidies for Low-Income Households

• Crackdown on Theft & Corruption

• Policy Reform for Circular Debt Management

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Conclusion

The suffering caused by excess electricity bills in Pakistan is real and widespread. It is a crisis born of mismanagement and neglect, but it can be solved. As the people cry out for justice and affordability, the government must act—not with short-term fixes, but with long-term reforms.

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