ISLAMABAD: As part of efforts to curb rising electricity costs, the federal government is considering limiting commercial activities to daytime hours, alongside other energy conservation measures. The move comes amid growing concerns over increasing power tariffs driven by expensive fuel sources.
Power Minister Awais Leghari stated that consultations are underway with provincial governments to revise market timings and implement strategies aimed at reducing electricity consumption. He emphasized that under the leadership of Shehbaz Sharif, the government is committed to shielding consumers from escalating power prices.
Highlighting the impact of the government’s surplus power initiative, the Power Division revealed that over 203,367 industrial and agricultural consumers have benefited, achieving savings exceeding Rs20.83 billion in just three months (December 2025 to February 2026).
The package, introduced in November 2025, offered electricity at a subsidized rate of Rs22.98 per unit for incremental usage. This incentive led to an additional consumption of 2,164 gigawatt hours (GWh), accounting for 23% of total electricity supplied to these sectors during the period.
Industrial consumers were the primary beneficiaries, saving Rs19.6 billion, while the agriculture sector recorded savings of Rs1.14 billion. Among industrial categories, B3 consumers secured the highest savings at Rs8.76 billion, followed by B2 (Rs5.34 billion), B4 (Rs4.02 billion), and B1 (Rs1.48 billion).
Participation rates also reflected strong uptake, with 67% growth in the B4 category, followed by 52% in B3, 48% in B2, and 43% in B1 industries. Around 34% of agricultural users availed the scheme.
The Power Division noted that electricity demand saw significant year-on-year growth, rising by 12% in January 2026 and 11% in February 2026. Officials described this trend as a positive signal for economic recovery, indicating a shift from costly self-generation to more affordable grid electricity.
The initiative aims to optimize surplus generation capacity, reduce reliance on expensive fuels such as furnace oil and gas, and ease the country’s fiscal and foreign exchange pressures while supporting industrial growth.
Story by Khaleeq Kiani
