NEPRA approves hike in power tariff

The recent announcement of the 2024-25 budget by the Pakistani federal government has sparked significant concern among citizens already burdened by inflation. According to RNN News, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has announced a substantial increase in the electricity tariff, raising the average rate to Rs. 35.50 per unit from the current Rs. 29.78. This represents an increase of Rs. 5.72 per unit.

The government has yet to decide whether this hike will be implemented all at once or in stages, but it is scheduled to take effect from July 1. This follows a previous increase in the basic electricity tariff during the current financial year, which saw rates rise to Rs. 7.50 per unit from Rs. 7.91 per unit in the last fiscal year.

This increase comes amid the unveiling of Pakistan's budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, presented by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. The budget has a total outlay of Rs. 18.877 trillion. The National Assembly session, which began with a recitation of the Holy Quran and the national anthem, saw Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in attendance. However, the session was marked by protests from opposition lawmakers, particularly from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Sunni Ittehad Council, who voiced their opposition to the government and PML-N president Nawaz Sharif by standing on their desks, raising slogans, and tearing copies of the Finance Bill 2025.