Protected vs Non-Protected Electricity Consumers: Why 201 Units Costs So Much

Updated 27 October 2026

Two neighbours can use almost the same electricity and receive bills that differ by thousands of rupees. The reason is the protected/non-protected classification in Pakistan's domestic tariff. Here is how it works.

Who is protected?

A domestic consumer is "protected" if consumption has stayed at 200 units or less in every one of the previous six months. Protected consumers pay roughly Rs 10–13 per unit, about half the non-protected rate.

The six-month lock

If you use even 201 units in a single month – often in June, July or August when ACs run – you lose protected status, and the higher rates apply for the next six months even if you go back below 200.

Slab billing for non-protected consumers

For non-protected homes, all units are charged at the rate of the slab the total falls into. At 300 units the rate is Rs 33.10; at 301 units it becomes Rs 36.46 for every unit, and the fixed charge per kW also steps up. That jump of a single unit adds over Rs 1,000 before taxes.

Fixed charges and FPA

Fixed charges depend on your sanctioned load in kilowatts, so a home with a 5 kW sanctioned load pays more than one with 2 kW even at the same consumption. Fuel price adjustment (FPA) is added per unit based on NEPRA's monthly decision for an earlier month and can be negative in cheaper months.

Practical tips

• Check the meter reading a week before your reading date and cut down if you are near 200 or a slab boundary.
• Run heavy appliances (iron, washing machine, water pump) less in peak months.
• Set inverter ACs to 26°C with a fan; each degree lower adds roughly 6% consumption.
• Ask your DISCO to reduce your sanctioned load if it is set higher than necessary.

Try different unit numbers in our electricity bill calculator to see exactly where your bill jumps.