ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has confirmed that all power distribution companies (DISCOs), including K-Electric, overbilled consumers in April and June. NEPRA has demanded explanations from these companies and instructed them to adjust bills to reflect actual usage.
The regulator’s notification reveals that consumers were charged more than the units they consumed, violating NEPRA’s regulations. Additionally, companies are prohibited from imposing late payment surcharges on overdue bills and must replace defective meters to prevent future overbilling. A compliance report must be submitted to NEPRA within 30 days.
The overbilling issue affected over 300,000 consumers, who were moved from protected to non-protected categories under a new billing system. This resulted in inflated bills.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the FIA to investigate the overbilling, targeting officials who added extra units to bills. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has also directed an expedited collection of evidence and data for a comprehensive report. The FIA has summoned LESCO officials for questioning as part of the probe.
