Pakistan, Aug. 4 -- According to the Power Division's recent working paper, shared with stakeholders in July, the main reason behind previous increases was the sharp fall in the value of the Pakistani rupee. From 2022 to 2025, electricity purchase rates rose 50%, while capacity charges surged 115%, reaching Rs. 2.1 trillion despite reduced energy payments.

The average electricity purchase price jumped from Rs. 7.17 per unit in 2016 to Rs. 24.88 in 2025, showing a massive 250% increase. Capacity charges alone climbed 660% due to large power projects under CPEC, indicating the heavy financial burden on the system.

From 2023 to 2025, the base tariff in dollar terms stayed steady at $0.12 per unit. However, the weakening rupee raised the ef...