How Electricity Bills Are Calculated in Pakistan (Slabs, Taxes & Examples)
A Pakistani electricity bill is energy charges by slab, plus fixed charges, the NJ surcharge, fuel adjustment (FAC) and GST. Crossing 200 units changes how every extra unit is priced.
Your bill = energy charge (units × slab rate) + fixed charge + NJ surcharge (3.5%) + FAC (fuel adjustment, varies monthly) + GST (17% on the subtotal) + a small TV fee. Below 200 units all units are billed at the protected flat rate; above 200 units, extra units are charged at higher progressive rates.
Protected vs. unprotected consumers
If you use 200 units or fewer, you're a 'protected' consumer and every unit is billed at the flat protected rate (about Rs. 10.50/unit, or Rs. 3.95 for lifeline consumers using ≤100 units). Cross 200 units even once and you move to the unprotected progressive structure, where each 100-unit band has its own rate.
Domestic slab rates (unprotected)
| Units | Approx. rate per unit |
|---|---|
| 1–100 (lifeline) | Rs. 3.95 |
| First 200 (protected base) | Rs. 10.50 |
| 201–300 | Rs. 16 |
| 301–400 | Rs. 19 |
| 401–500 | Rs. 21 |
| 501–600 | Rs. 23 |
| 601–700 | Rs. 25 |
| Above 700 | Rs. 27 |
The add-ons
- Fixed charge — Rs. 350–750/month depending on your sanctioned load, charged regardless of usage.
- NJ surcharge — 3.5% of (energy + fixed charge), funds the Neelum–Jhelum project.
- FAC (Fuel Adjustment Charges) — a per-unit surcharge set monthly to reflect actual fuel costs; can be near zero or several rupees per unit. Check your DISCO's notification.
- GST — 17% on the running subtotal (electricity keeps the 17% rate, not the standard 18%).
- TV licence fee — Rs. 35/month.
Worked examples
350 units, standard residential connection
WAPDA/DISCO consumer, 5 kW sanctioned load, no FAC entered.
- First 200 units @ Rs. 10.50
- Rs. 2,100
- 201–300 @ Rs. 16
- Rs. 1,600
- 301–350 @ Rs. 19
- Rs. 950
- Energy charge
- Rs. 4,650
- Fixed + NJ surcharge + GST + TV fee
- Rs. 1,440
Estimated bill ≈ Rs. 6,090 — an average of about Rs. 17.4 per unit.
The average per-unit cost is far above any single slab rate because fixed charges and GST are spread over every unit.
600 units in peak summer
Same connection, air conditioning running.
- First 200 units @ Rs. 10.50
- Rs. 2,100
- 201–400 (@ Rs. 16 then Rs. 19)
- Rs. 3,500
- 401–600 (@ Rs. 21 then Rs. 23)
- Rs. 4,400
- Energy charge
- Rs. 10,000
- Fixed + NJ surcharge + GST + TV fee
- Rs. 2,568
Estimated bill ≈ Rs. 12,568 — an average of about Rs. 20.9 per unit.
Going from 350 to 600 units roughly doubles the bill: those marginal units cost Rs. 21–23 each before tax.
How to keep the bill down
- Staying under 200 units keeps you on the protected flat rate — a big saving if you're close.
- The 300 and 400-unit thresholds are the next expensive steps in summer.
- FAC can swing the total by 10–20% — don't be surprised by a month with a high fuel adjustment.
Estimate your bill
Enter your units, utility and load — add the current FAC from your DISCO notification for the most accurate total.
Open the Electricity Bill calculator