ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has approved Rs0.81 per unit increase in the electricity price, putting an additional financial burden of Rs5.2 billion on consumers.
According to NEPRA, the higher electricity rates do not apply to K-Electric consumers.
According to media reports, the cost of electricity production has been raised by Rs3 billion due to the increase in gas prices.
Besides, in the month of February, 22.7 percent of the power was generated by water resources.
The hike in power tariff will put an additional burden of Rs5 billion on consumers, however lifeline, K-electric and agricultural consumers have been excluded from being charged.
The power tariff hike comes days after the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel were increased by Rs6 per litre.
Inflation rose to 9.41 percent year-on-year, up from 8.21 percent in February, Bureau of Statistics data showed on Monday, lifted by sharp rises in food, fuel and transport costs that have squeezed household budgets.
On Friday, the central bank lifted its key policy rate by 50 basis points to 10.75 percent, citing continuing inflationary pressures as well as high fiscal and current account deficits.
Energy costs, in particular, have risen sharply, hit by a series of a devaluation of the rupee.
