Pakistan ends PTV fee in power bills, unveils app to tackle overbilling

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday announced the removal of the Pakistan Television (PTV) license fee from electricity bills, calling it a step to protect consumers and support broader reforms in the power sector.

Speaking at the launch of a mobile app that allows users to submit their own electricity meter readings, Sharif said the initiative would empower citizens and ensure transparency.

“The launch of the ‘Apna Meter, Apni Reading’ app is a milestone in institutional reform and citizen empowerment,” Sharif said during the event.

“We are committed to protecting electricity users’ rights.”

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The prime minister praised the Ministry of Energy for what he described as yearlong efforts under Minister Owais Leghari’s leadership. He said the app was part of a series of reforms to improve the power sector, reduce corruption, and ensure accurate billing.

Sharif said corrupt elements in the power distribution system had been challenged and that the boards of power distribution companies (DISCOs) had undergone “revolutionary changes.”

He also pointed to ongoing talks with independent power producers (IPPs) and banks aimed at reducing circular debt and interest rates.

“These are tough discussions, but we’re navigating them in a transparent and effective way,” he said.

The prime minister said global oil price drops were being used to ease electricity costs.

“We were concerned about a 50 to 70 paisa per unit increase due to rebasing,” he said. “But we found a way to avoid passing that burden to the public.”

Sharif announced the end of the PTV fee in electricity bills during the same address, saying the government was working to prevent future hikes in energy prices.

Tackling electricity theft remains a major challenge, he added, calling the estimated annual loss of PKR 500 billion “unacceptable.” He pledged swift action.

The prime minister also pointed to a growing mismatch between electricity supply and demand.

“We are producing more electricity than we’re consuming,” he said.

“This imbalance must be addressed by making power more affordable for households and industries.”

Sharif said Pakistan was among the countries moving rapidly toward solar energy adoption, and the government would support rather than discourage that shift.

He called the new app a “revolutionary step” that would benefit every household and urged the Ministry of Information to help roll it out nationwide in at least five regional languages.

“The app is not just simple and useful—it will also promote interprovincial harmony,” he said.

Energy Minister Owais Leghari said the new system would increase transparency by allowing users to record their own meter readings.

“This was the prime minister’s vision—to empower consumers,” Leghari said.

“We’ve already refunded PKR 110 billion to consumers in overbilling cases, and this app is the next step.”

Leghari added that users would now have the authority once held by meter readers, reducing the risk of inflated bills and restoring consumer trust.