Karachi residents are grappling with an additional burden as electricity prices surge, straining household budgets. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has approved a fuel adjustment increase of Rs 1.71 per unit for K-Electric consumers, exacerbating worries about escalating utility expenses.

This rise comes on the heels of the Rs 4.45 per unit increase implemented in October and November 2023, leaving residents frustrated by the seemingly unending cost escalation.

Responding to the Federation’s appeal, Nepra authorized the hike, attributing it to adjustments for specific quarters of the fiscal year 2023. The revised rates will take effect from January 1, with additional charges scheduled for April, May, and June 2023, totaling 46 paise per unit from January to March.

Furthermore, a Rs 1.24 per unit increase for electricity consumed in July, August, and September 2023 will also be implemented starting January 1.

This price hike follows the prior adjustment in the first quarter of the last fiscal year, where K-Electric consumers faced a surge of Rs 4.45 per unit. Additional charges were levied during October and November 2023, significantly impacting consumer bills. Additionally, industrial customers of K-Electric are set to encounter an extra charge of Rs 3 per unit over a two-month period.

The ongoing increase in electricity rates poses a challenge for Karachi consumers, sparking concerns about the affordability of essential utilities, particularly for households already grappling with economic pressures.