Pakistan’s 200-unit electricity relief system may change. Dawn reported on 28 October 2026 that the government had decided to scrap the current slab system and introduce targeted subsidies. Its reports describe two specific mechanisms as options under consideration; they do not say a revised tariff has taken effect.
What are the two options?
One option would increase the protected-consumer limit by 50 units, moving it from 200 to 250 units. Dawn and Aaj reported this possibility.
The other could allow consumers to qualify for protected relief month by month when they keep use within a 200-unit limit, instead of facing the reported six-month bar after crossing it. Dawn is the source for this option.
The first option changes the monthly limit. The second changes how long a consumer may remain outside the protected category after exceeding it. Neither report says either option has become a tariff rule in force.
What is the six-month rule based on?
A Ministry of Energy policy guideline dated 9 June 2021 called for protected-consumer status for residential use below 200 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month over six consecutive months. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) hosts the guideline.
This is historical policy background. It does not establish the exact wording of every later tariff notification.
Would relief be based on income?
Dawn’s 28 October report said Leghari described work on a subsidy system based on poverty and income rather than electricity consumption alone.
When could a final plan be ready?
Dawn reported that Leghari estimated it would take one and a half months to finalise a plan. This was a reported estimate, not an implementation date.
Single-source note: Dawn is the only reopened source in this package for the month-by-month option and the time estimate. Aaj separately reported the proposed 250-unit limit.
Sources: Ministry policy guideline hosted by NEPRA, Dawn report dated 27 October, Dawn follow-up dated 28 October, and Aaj report on the 250-unit option. Related reading: Origin Pakistan’s report on the October electricity-bill adjustment.
