ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) is calling on the government to reduce the industrial electricity tariff, which is currently placing an unfair burden on large-scale factories that have invested in high-voltage industrial connections.
This appeal comes as Pakistan textile exports continue to decline due to ongoing structural problems and high energy costs in Pakistan.
In a recent statement, Khurram Mukhtar, Patron-in-Chief of the Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA), urged immediate correction of flaws in the current Nepra electricity rates. He said the present system discourages energy efficiency in industries and penalises companies that are trying to improve performance by connecting to the power grid at higher voltage levels.
Mr Mukhtar explained that the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) charges more for industrial units connected at 11 kV (B3) and 132 kV (B4) than for those using the lower 400 V (B2) level. He said this goes against international energy standards and basic power grid economics.
“It’s unreasonable that factories investing in their own high-voltage infrastructure — and helping reduce pressure on the national power grid — are forced to pay more for electricity than those using low-voltage systems,” Mukhtar stated.
He added that this unfair electricity pricing for industries has led many companies to split their electrical load into smaller, low-voltage (B2) connections. This not only causes higher electricity distribution losses but also reduces overall grid efficiency and revenue collection by Discos in Pakistan (power distribution companies).
Globally, Mr Mukhtar noted, industries using high-voltage electricity connections are rewarded with lower tariffs — typically 10–15% less — because they help reduce strain on the power infrastructure.
“In Pakistan, the opposite is happening. The current tariff punishes efficient industries and supports outdated, inefficient practices,” he said.
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