Electricity consumers in Pakistan are now paying around Rs. 9 per unit in extra taxes and charges added to their power bills. This increase comes as FBR continues to use electricity bills as an easy way to collect taxes from the public and businesses.
According to reports, several different taxes are included in monthly electricity bills. These include an 18% General Sales Tax (GST), income tax, and advance income tax. These added charges are making electricity more expensive for both households and industries, which are already struggling with high energy costs.
In total, electricity bills now contain around six different types of taxes and levies. These charges are added on top of the basic electricity tariff and fuel price adjustments, which further increase the final amount paid by consumers.
As a result, the overall cost of electricity has gone much higher than the actual unit price of power. Many consumers feel that their monthly bills are becoming difficult to manage, especially for middle and low-income families.
Businesses are also concerned about the rising cost of electricity. They say higher energy expenses are reducing their competitiveness in the market and slowing down production and economic activity. Some industries warn that continued increases could lead to lower exports and job losses.
Experts believe that while tax collection is important for the government, the heavy reliance on electricity bills places a significant burden on the public. They suggest that a more balanced tax system could help reduce pressure on consumers while still meeting revenue needs.
