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NEPRA to hear proposal on revised tariff structure | The Express Tribune

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NEPRA to hear proposal on revised tariff structure | The Express Tribune


Govt moves to recover fixed costs without raising subsidy outlay; hearing set for Feb 10

Nepra officials warned Gepco over the illegal installation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) on small meters. They said that the company was installing AMI without approval of the regulator and even without data backup. Photo: file


ISLAMABAD:

The power regulator is set to allow amendments in the tariff structure for power distribution companies, including K-Electric (KE), as part of a federal government proposal to rationalise electricity tariffs without increasing the overall subsidy burden.

Pakistan’s power regulator will hold a public hearing next week on the proposal, which seeks to revise fixed charges and rebalance variable rates across state-run distribution companies and KE, a move that could reshape electricity bills.

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) said the hearing will take place on February 10 to consider the government’s motion and policy guidelines aimed at introducing a uniform tariff structure for ex-WAPDA distribution companies and KE under the provisions of the NEPRA Act and applicable tariff rules.

According to the motion, the government has asked NEPRA to revise the applicable uniform tariff while remaining within the already approved consolidated revenue requirement of the power sector and the budgeted tariff differential subsidy of Rs249 billion.

The proposal seeks to better reflect the underlying cost structure of the power sector, particularly the recovery of fixed costs, which have increasingly weighed on the finances of power distribution companies.

The cabinet has already approved the uniform tariff framework and the government has submitted it to NEPRA for formal incorporation into the regulator’s schedule of tariffs.

Under the proposed framework, the plan includes the introduction of revised fixed charges and a rebalancing of variable per-unit rates in line with revenue requirements already determined for distribution companies.

For KE, the government has requested NEPRA to reconsider and issue a modified uniform tariff to maintain parity across the country while ensuring the utility recovers its approved revenue requirement.

The proposal also allows for targeted subsidies or cross-subsidies to be notified through amendments in existing statutory regulatory orders.

If approved, the proposed changes would not alter the overall subsidy envelope but could redistribute costs among different consumer categories, potentially increasing fixed charges while adjusting per-unit electricity rates.

NEPRA said the public hearing will be held both online and at its Islamabad headquarters, allowing consumers to submit written comments or present their views during the proceedings.



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Co-op boss quits after ‘toxic culture’ claims reported by BBC

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Co-op boss quits after ‘toxic culture’ claims reported by BBC


Co-op chair Debbie White said: “We thank Shirine for her leadership and for the significant contribution she has made to our Co-op, to our communities and to the co-operative movement during her tenure. The Board is grateful for her commitment and leadership, particularly during a challenging few years, and we wish her every success in the future.”



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Airfares likely to doubled as jet fuel price aurges to Rs417 in Pakistan – SUCH TV

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Airfares likely to doubled as jet fuel price aurges to Rs417 in Pakistan – SUCH TV



Air travel is all set to become highly expensive as the airlines are indicating at doubling the air ticket prices following a whopping increase in jet fuel rate.

The jet fuel price has rocketed to Rs417 from Rs388 per litre in Pakistan and the airlines have started to increase the airfares through enhancing fuel surcharge rates.

The airlines maintained the basic fare but added the fuel price surge into the fuel surcharge.

The one-way fare from Karachi to Islamabad and Lahore has shot up to Rs40,000 while air travel on chance seats for Islamabad and Lahore has soared by 150 percent.

Accordingly, the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has boosted the airfares by 10 to 100 dollars.

Domestic flights will now carry additional $10 fuel surcharge which on Canada routes extra $100 will be received as fuel charge.

Passengers on UK-bound flights to pay 75 dollars additional surcharge while 50 dollars will be received on Middle East routes.

Private airlines have gone a step ahead as they enforced charging additional 15 dollars to 150 dollars on different routes.

The airlines were under pressure after closure of many air routes with the airlines administrations are saying that extraordinary rise in airfares has become inevitable.

Earlier on Wednesday, Pakistan fuel NOTAM forced foreign airlines to tanker Jet A-1 fuel from abroad and limit uplift at Karachi and Lahore airports.

The Pakistan Airports Authority issued the order to protect local supplies amid supply disruptions.

Foreign carriers now arrive with enough fuel for their return flights while Pakistani airlines receive full requirements.

This change hit operations on March 25 when one Karachi-to-Doha flight diverted to Muscat.

The Pakistan fuel NOTAM A0147/26 took effect on March 13 and runs through March 31 2026. It targets Jinnah International Airport in Karachi and Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore.

Airlines follow the rule and carry maximum fuel on inbound legs. Officials confirm foreign airlines get only the minimum quantity inside Pakistan.

Pakistan fuel NOTAM creates immediate changes on the ground. Foreign airlines offload passenger baggage and cargo to stay within weight limits.

The extra fuel adds weight that reduces payload capacity on every affected flight.

According to a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the PAA, the supply of aviation fuel at domestic airports has been significantly curtailed due to regional supply chain disruptions, advising international carriers to maximize their fuel “uplift” at foreign stations and minimize refuelling within Pakistan.

The directive has already begun to impact international flight schedules.



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NS&I set to pay millions to customers over misplaced funds

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NS&I set to pay millions to customers over misplaced funds



The government-backed bank has been accused of a series of errors, including not paying bereaved families money that was rightfully theirs.



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