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In a major relief for electricity consumers, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has officially announced the abolition of the TV license fee that was previously included in monthly electricity bills across the country.
The announcement came during the inauguration ceremony of the Power Smart App, launched under the government’s consumer-centric initiative titled “Apna Meter, Apni Reading” (Your Meter, Your Reading). The app and associated reforms aim to foster transparency, reduce overbilling complaints, and empower citizens in the electricity billing process.
According to official sources, around Rs. 1.5 billion was being collected monthly through this TV fee, amounting to over Rs. 16 billion annually from electricity users. With this step, millions of consumers will see a direct reduction in their monthly electricity costs.
Power Smart App: A New Era of Transparent Billing
The newly launched Power Smart App allows consumers to take control of their electricity billing by submitting their own meter readings each month.
Under the “Apna Meter, Apni Reading” model, users can upload a photo of their electricity meter on a designated date. The bill for that month will then be calculated based solely on the reading provided by the user. If a consumer submits a reading on time, any subsequent reading recorded by a meter reader will be disregarded, ensuring that no additional units are unfairly charged.
This initiative is particularly important for reducing:
- Overbilling
- Delayed or inaccurate meter readings
- Excessive electricity charges due to skipped meter reading cycles
A Boost for Subsidy-Eligible Consumers
One of the key groups set to benefit from the app is subsidy-eligible electricity users. Currently, consumers who use up to 200 units per month are entitled to government-subsidized rates. However, due to inaccurate or late readings, many fall out of the subsidy bracket — even with a one-unit increase.
For example:
- A consumer using 200 units pays around Rs. 2,330.
- A reading showing 201 units due to overbilling results in a bill of Rs. 8,104, as the consumer loses access to the subsidy.
By giving consumers control over their own readings, the Power Smart App helps ensure that those eligible for subsidies continue to receive the support they deserve.
Governance Reform Through Technology
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the launch as “a historic shift in governance and transparency”, emphasizing that this initiative is not just a technological tool but a reform-driven mechanism that gives real authority back to the people.
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“This app will significantly cut down complaints related to overbilling and promote accountability within the system,” the Prime Minister said during the launch ceremony. He praised the Ministry of Power and the Power Division’s leadership, especially Secretary Dr. Fakhar Alam Irfan, and Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Owais Ahmed Khan Leghari, for driving the initiative forward.
Minister Highlights Direct Consumer Participation
Speaking at the event, the Minister for Power Division explained the app’s broader objective: to make electricity consumers active participants in the billing system. By involving the public in the meter reading process, the government aims to:
- Promote real-time data collection
- Build trust in utility billing
- Reduce the scope for manipulation or corruption
The Power Division sees this as a model reform that can be scaled across other services for improved citizen engagement and transparency.
Implementation and Public Accessibility
The app is now available for public use on Android and iOS platforms. Public awareness campaigns are being rolled out to ensure maximum adoption, especially in urban and semi-urban areas where smartphones are widely used.
Additionally, support desks at local utility offices are being set up to help less tech-savvy consumers learn how to submit meter readings or verify their billing status.
A Step Toward Long-Term Utility Reform
The Power Smart App launch and the removal of the TV fee from power bills together signal a shift toward consumer-focused policy in the energy sector. With Pakistan’s power sector long plagued by issues such as billing disputes, circular debt, and poor service delivery, such reforms are seen as a step in the right direction.
As the country navigates broader economic reforms and inflationary pressures, measures that reduce unnecessary charges and empower citizens are expected to have both immediate and long-term positive effects on public trust in governance.
