Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Sunday that the Pakistan Television (PTV) license fee will no longer be charged through electricity bills nationwide.
The announcement came during the launch ceremony of the “Apna Meter, Apni Reading” mobile app in Islamabad. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister outlined the government’s focus on tackling the key issues facing the power sector — electricity theft, underutilized capacity, circular debt, and high generation costs.
He revealed that power theft accounts for losses of approximately Rs500 billion annually, calling it one of the sector’s most critical problems. “We need to curb electricity theft at breakneck speed,” he stressed, noting that significant efforts are underway and that he is personally overseeing the matter.
Sharif also pointed out that the country’s electricity consumption remains lower than its production. He attributed this mainly to the increasing adoption of solar energy, which he described as a welcome trend. “Solar is the most affordable source of energy globally, and Pakistan is among the few nations rapidly moving toward solarisation,” he said.
He assured the public that the government has no intention of restricting the use of solar panels, and reaffirmed that consumer rights will be protected throughout the reform process. “This initiative, Apna Meter, Apni Reading, is truly a game-changer for the everyday user,” he added, calling for the app’s nationwide rollout and urging that it be made available in at least five regional languages.
The new app enables consumers to submit their own electricity meter readings, a move aimed at enhancing billing transparency and reducing customer complaints.
Additionally, the Prime Minister noted that power tariffs have been reduced by Rs4.5 per unit following challenging negotiations with independent power producers (IPPs) and investors. He further stated that a decline in global oil prices has allowed an additional Rs7.5 per unit cut in electricity rates.
