What is a protected electricity consumer?
Pakistan's domestic tariff gives lower per-unit rates to households that use little electricity. These households are called protected consumers. The idea is to shield lower-consumption homes from the full cost of electricity, while homes using more pay closer to that cost.
There are three domestic groups you will see in tariff tables:
- Lifeline: very low use, up to 100 units a month, on a small sanctioned load. These get the lowest rates.
- Protected: up to 200 units a month, every month, for the last six months.
- Non-protected: everyone else, including any home that crossed 200 units in one of the last six months.
How the 6-month rule works
This is the part that surprises people. Protected status is not decided by this month alone. The distribution company looks back at your last six months.
| Month | Units used | Billed as |
|---|---|---|
| March | 160 | Protected |
| April | 190 | Protected |
| May | 215 | Non-protected |
| June – October | 180 each month | Non-protected (May is still in the 6-month window) |
| November | 170 | Protected again, if no other month crossed 200 |
In this example, 15 extra units in May moved the household to higher rates for the next five bills as well, even though every one of those months stayed under 200 units.
Protected vs non-protected rates
The table below shows base energy rates for the first two slabs, before fuel adjustment, taxes and fixed charges. They are the domestic rates notified in early 2026, which our calculator uses by default. Rates are revised from time to time, so always compare with the per-unit rate on your latest bill.
| Units | Protected (Rs/unit) | Non-protected (Rs/unit) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – 100 | 10.54 | 22.44 |
| 101 – 200 | 13.01 | 28.91 |
For the same 150 units, the energy charge is more than twice as high for a non-protected home, and taxes are calculated on top of that higher amount. Above 200 units, only non-protected rates apply, and they rise with each slab.
The official tariff schedules are published by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA).
How to check if you are protected
- Find the consumption history on your bill. Most bills print units for the previous months in a small table.
- Look at the last six months. If every month is 200 units or less, you should be billed as protected.
- Check the per-unit rate printed in the billing section and compare it with the protected rates above.
- If something looks wrong, for example you stayed under 200 units but were billed at non-protected rates, contact your distribution company's customer service or visit the local office with your bills.
Practical ways to stay under 200 units
If your usage sits around 180 to 230 units, these habits can keep you on the protected side:
- Read your meter every week in summer. 200 units in a 30-day month is about 6.6 units a day. If you are above that pace by the middle of the month, cut back early.
- Plan AC hours. Air conditioning is the biggest summer load in most homes. Running it for fewer hours, at a moderate setting, makes the largest single difference.
- Replace old fans and bulbs with efficient DC fans and LED lights. They run for many hours a day, so savings add up.
- Control the water motor. Fix tank overflow and leaks so the pump runs only as long as needed.
- Switch off standby loads such as UPS charging when not needed, TVs and chargers.
Crossing 200 units by a small margin is usually the most expensive mistake on the bill, because the cost is felt for six months. A few days of careful use near the end of the billing month can be worth it.
Frequently asked questions
What is a protected consumer in electricity bills?
A domestic consumer who has used 200 units or less in each of the last six months. Protected consumers pay lower per-unit rates than non-protected consumers.
How long does non-protected status last?
It lasts as long as a month above 200 units is within your last six months. After six consecutive months at 200 units or less, you return to protected rates.
Does one month of 201 units really matter?
Yes. Crossing 200 units in a single month makes you non-protected for the next six months, so the higher rates apply to several bills.
Is the rule the same for LESCO, IESCO and other companies?
The protected and non-protected categories are part of the national domestic tariff, so they apply across distribution companies. Monthly adjustments such as FPA can differ.
How can I estimate my bill before it arrives?
Read your meter, work out the units used since the last bill, and enter them in an electricity bill calculator with your consumer category.
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