A major shift in Pakistan’s energy subsidy framework has officially taken effect. As of now, “blanket subsidy” on domestic consumers consuming less than 200 units/month will be gradually phased out under the new directives from the Ministry of Energy and the federal cabinet. The eligibility for electricity relief has now become closely related with the registration in Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) from 2026 onwards. The power subsidy provision is designed to ensure that the poorest families get the subsidy, while other families that are not entitled to it use the power they pay for.
The “BISP-Only” Rule: What Has Changed?
In the past, any household that used less than 200 units per month for six months in a row was considered a “Protected Consumer” and was billed lower per unit. However, the new policy prescribes:
To retain “Protected” status, a consumer needs to be registered in the BISP database with a valid Poverty Score (PMT) now.
Verification: Utility companies (DISCOs) are validating their billings with BISP’s National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER).
Subsidy Withdrawal: If they are not registered in the BISP database then they will be gradually moved towards Standard tariff, possibly increasing their monthly bill by up to 50-80%.
Why is the Government Implementing This Change?
The federal government is facing great pressure from the world’s financial organisations, including the International Monetary Fund, to cut the circular debt and stop providing untargeted subsidies. It was found that many wealthy households were exploiting the subsidy by having several meters or allocating their energy efficiency.It was determined that many high-income households were taking advantage of the subsidy with multiple meters or energy efficient appliances to remain under 200 units. By narrowing the eligibility to BISP beneficiaries, the government hopes to save over Rs. 150 billion annually, which will be redirected toward the “Sasta Power” scheme for verified low-income citizens.
How to Secure Your Subsidy: Step-by-Step Registration
If you believe you are eligible for the subsidy but are not yet registered with BISP, you must act immediately to avoid high bills in the upcoming cycle:
- Check Your Status: Go to the official 8171 BISP Web Portal and enter your CNIC to see whether you are already an active beneficiary or not.
- Check at a Dynamic Survey Center: If you aren’t registered, check at your local BISP Tehsil Office and you can do the “Dynamic Survey.
- Required Documents: Bring your original CNIC and your latest electricity bill. It is crucial that the Reference Number on the bill is linked to your CNIC in the government system.
- Application for Relief: Once your PMT score is verified as eligible, your data will be automatically shared with your respective power company (e.g., LESCO, K-Electric, PESCO) to restore your subsidy.
Managing Higher Bills: Advice from NEPRA
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has pointed out that the consumers outside the category of “Protected” may have to pay increased taxes and base tariffs. Consumers are advised to do the following to help resolve this:
If it is financially feasible, make the switch to solar net-metering.
Move large appliance use (iron, water pump, etc.) to off-peak hours.
Make sure their CNIC is registered with their Electricity Company.
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