How to Read Your Electricity Bill in Pakistan

Updated 27 October 2026

A DISCO bill packs a lot onto one page. Knowing what each line means helps you spot mistakes and see where your money is going. The layout is the same for LESCO, IESCO, MEPCO, FESCO, GEPCO, PESCO, HESCO, SEPCO and QESCO.

Reference number

The 14-digit reference number identifies your connection. You need it to check a duplicate bill online, pay through a banking app and lodge a complaint.

Readings and units

Units consumed = present reading – previous reading. Compare the present reading with your meter; a wrong or estimated reading is the most common reason for an inflated bill. The bill also shows your last 12 months of units, which tells you whether you are still a protected consumer.

Cost of electricity

This is units × the per-unit rate for your slab. Protected consumers pay the lower protected rates; non-protected consumers pay the rate of the slab their total falls into. Read more in protected vs non-protected consumers.

Fixed charges

A monthly charge based on your sanctioned load in kW, applied to non-protected domestic consumers.

FPA and QTA

Fuel price adjustment (FPA) and quarterly tariff adjustment (QTA) are per-unit additions decided by NEPRA for earlier periods. They can be positive or negative and change every month.

Taxes and duties

• GST at 18% on the electricity charges.
• Electricity duty (a provincial levy) and a PTV fee.
• Income tax if the bill exceeds the threshold and you are not on the Active Taxpayer List.

Check before you pay

Enter your units and DISCO in the electricity bill calculator – or go straight to the LESCO, IESCO or MEPCO page – and compare with your bill. A large gap usually means a wrong reading or an arrears line worth querying with your sub-division office.