Business Desk 
Nov 19, 2025
An undated image shows a power technician fixing electric meters in Pakistan. — AFP
Electricity consumers in Pakistan should brace for a potential price hike in 2026 as regulators have begun reviewing a proposal that could significantly raise power tariffs nationwide.
The indication of an expected spike in electricity rates in Pakistan surfaced after the submission of a new price range by the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) for the upcoming fiscal year, hinting that both consumers and industries should prepare for higher electricity bills.
The proposal, discussed during a public hearing on Tuesday, suggests the fixation of the national power purchase price between Rs25.69 and Rs26.69 per unit. This benchmark directly determines the electricity costs that households and businesses will face.
NEPRA Chairman Wasim Mukhtar presided over the session, where CPPA officials defended the proposed price hikes, citing factors such as fuel trends, projected electricity demand, and exchange-rate assumptions.
However, NEPRA member Rafiq Ahmed Sheikh deemed the submission “incomplete,” arguing that inadequate data should not justify the addition of further burden on consumers.
In the wake of the upcoming price hike, the business fraternity also raised concerns, as FPCCI’s Rehan Javed warned that the latest figures indicate electricity prices are unlikely to decrease, which, he explained, might disrupt the industrial competitiveness.
KCCI’s Tanveer Bari criticised the inflated dollar assumptions, stating that even minor fluctuations in the exchange rate could sharply escalate power generation costs.
The regulator will assess the CPPA’s application for a price hike and consult industry leaders before finalising the national power purchase price for FY2026 later this year.
