ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s national power regulator has cut the prices of electricity by Rs2.12 per unit on account of fuel adjustment charges, it said on Thursday.
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has to make adjustments in the power tariff on account of any variations in fuel charges on a monthly basis.
The reduction in electricity prices followed a request by the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA), which had worked out the fuel cost for the month of January.
“The authority... has reviewed and assessed a National Average Uniform decrease of (Rs2.1240/kWh) in the applicable tariff for XWDISCOs on account of variations in the fuel charges for January 2025,” NEPRA said in a notification issued late Thursday.
“XWDISCOs (distribution companies) shall reflect the fuel charges adjustment in respect of January 2025 in the billing month of March 2025.”
The development comes more than a week after Pakistan’s Power Minister Awais Leghari announced a reduction in power tariff for households consuming up to 300 units of electricity and those using agricultural tube-wells.
“By waiving these charges for low-usage consumers and agricultural tube-wells, the government aims to ease the financial burden on farmers and households with limited electricity consumption,” Leghari was quoted as saying by the state-run APP news agency.
Pakistan produces expensive electricity due to a combination of factors including high reliance on imported fossil fuels, inefficient energy mix, substantial transmission and distribution losses and chronic issues like circular debt and regulatory inefficiencies.
The country’s outdated infrastructure and inadequate power plants further exacerbate costs, while underutilization of domestic resources such as hydropower and coal add to the problem.
Additionally, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and complex tariff structures contribute to higher electricity prices. High power cost is one of the key factors that lead to inflation in the country.
Pakistan power regulator cuts tariff on account of fuel price adjustment
https://arab.news/2792h
Pakistan power regulator cuts tariff on account of fuel price adjustment
- The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority makes adjustments in power tariff on account of any variations in fuel charges on a monthly basis
- The South Asian country produces electricity with the help of imported fossil fuels, amid underutilization of domestic resources like hydropower, coal
Pakistan to begin first phase of Hajj 2026 trainings from today
- Training programs to be held in phases across Pakistan till February, says religion ministry
- Saudi Arabia allocated Pakistan a total quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Hajj 2026
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry has said that it will begin the first phase of mandatory Hajj 2026 training for pilgrims intending to perform the pilgrimage from today, Thursday.
The one-day Hajj training programs will be held in phases across the country at the tehsil level until February. The ministry directed intending pilgrims to bring their original identity cards and the computerized receipt of their Hajj application to attend the training sessions.
“Pilgrims should attend the one-day training program according to their scheduled date,” Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) said in a statement.
The ministry said training schedules are being shared through the government’s Pak Hajj 2026 mobile application as well as via SMS. It added that details of the schedule are also available on its website.
According to the ministry, training programs will be held in Abbottabad on Jan. 2; Ghotki, Thatta and Kotli on Jan. 3; and Tando Muhammad Khan and Khairpur on Jan. 4.
Hajj training sessions will be held in Rawalakot, Badin and Naushahro Feroze on Jan. 5, while pilgrims in Fateh Jang, Dadu and Tharparkar will receive the training on Jan. 6.
The ministry said training programs will be conducted in Umerkot and Larkana on Jan. 7, followed by sessions in Mirpurkhas, Shahdadkot and Mansehra on Jan. 8.
Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry has previously said these trainings will be conducted by experienced trainers and scholars using multimedia.
It said the training has been made mandatory to ensure that intending pilgrims are fully aware of Hajj rituals and administrative procedures.
Saudi Arabia has allocated Pakistan a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Hajj 2026, of which around 118,000 seats have been reserved under the government scheme, while the remainder will be allocated to private tour operators.
Under Pakistan’s Hajj scheme, the estimated cost of the government package ranges from Rs1,150,000 to Rs1,250,000 ($4,049.93 to $4,236), subject to final agreements with service providers.
