In a positive development for electricity consumers, a proposal to increase the protected usage limit from 200 units to 300 units is currently being reviewed.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has acknowledged complaints regarding Rs5, 000 increase in bills for those consuming 201 units and has announced plans to form a high-level committee to address the issue.

Reports indicate that consumers using 201 units are removed from the protected category within six months, incurring an additional monthly charge of approximately Rs5, 000 during this period.

The newly formed committee will explore options to either expand the protected category or provide additional relief for affected consumers.

The government is committed to offering assistance to lower-income households, with indications that the non-protected rate may apply to those consuming 301 units or more.

Sources from the Ministry of Energy also suggest that the 201-unit threshold may only be relevant for the current month, as it was implemented by NEPRA and the Ministry of Power.