The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) on Thursday approved an increase in electricity tariff of 24 paisa per unit under the monthly fuel adjustment formula, despite the fact that the electricity shortfall, currently at 4,344MW, seems nowhere near being controlled.
The NEPRA took the tariff raise decision in a hearing in Islamabad on Thursday. However, the hike will not be applied to KESC and Life Line consumers.
On the other hand, the Energy Management Cell said the generation of electricity stood at 14,144MW while the supply had risen to 18,488MW.
Due to the shortfall, unscheduled power outages have increased in cites and rural areas across the country.
Lahore, Punjab’s capital, is facing outages of up to 14 hours a day, while villages are being subjected to 16 to 18 hours of load shedding..
The duration of load shedding is about eight hours in Hyderabad, Tando Bago, Tando Mohammed Khan and Sukkur.
In Jaffarabad, Nasserabad, Jhal Magsi, Bolan, Sibi, Chaman, Loralai and Qilla Saif Ullah, power outages are being conducted for 16 to 18 hours a day.
Abbotabad, Karak, Nowshera, Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan are also badly affected by power outages.
Lawyers in Chichawatni have stopped working to lodge a protest gayest prolonged power outages.