The facility of free electricity units for government officers has been abolished, and they will now receive electricity bills like ordinary consumers.
According to a private TV channel, the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has withdrawn the free electricity benefit for officers in Grades 18 to 20. As a result, these officers have started receiving regular electricity bills for the first time, with reports claiming that nearly half of some officers’ salaries are now being spent on electricity expenses after the removal of the decades-old benefit.
According to LESCO sources, Grade 18 officers previously received 6,000 free electricity units annually, Grade 19 officers were entitled to 8,000 units, while Grade 20 officers received 10,000 free units each year.
Sources said the same decision had been taken for officers in Grades 18 to 20 across other power distribution companies (DISCOs). However, several other DISCOs obtained court stay orders, allowing them to continue providing the free electricity benefit.
LESCO officers argued that the restoration of the free electricity facility in other companies is unlawful. They said that all benefits are already included in officers’ salaries and called for the abolition of the free electricity perk across all public institutions. They also urged the Ministry of Energy to introduce a uniform policy for all power distribution companies.
NEPRA increases salary of CPPA-G employees
Recently, NEPRA approved salary increases and performance based incentives for employees of the Central Power Purchasing Agency Guarantee Limited (CPPA-G).
NEPRA increased the salaries of the CPPA-G employees as part of its market operation fee determination for the 2025-26 financial year.
Under the decision, CPPA-G employees will receive a 4.49 per cent salary increase to account for inflation, along with a 6 per cent performance-based increment, taking the total approved increase to 10.49 per cent.
NEPRA approved a salary budget of Rs1.58 billion for the agency’s employees. It also allocated an additional Rs249m for incentives. However, the regulator reduced the company’s proposed bonus allocation, according to the report.
Also read: NEPRA increases electricity prices in Pakistan today
