Last updated: · Reviewed by the lescobillonline.com editorial team
How slab pricing actually works
Pakistan’s residential tariff is banded. Consumption up to 100 units is priced at the lowest rate, the next band at a higher rate, and so on. Crucially, for consumers above 300 units the whole month’s consumption is charged at the rate of the slab reached, not band by band — which is why 301 units can cost noticeably more than 300.
Below that threshold the pricing is progressive, so small reductions still help. The practical takeaway is the same either way: staying under a boundary is worth real money, and the boundary at 200 units matters most because it decides protected status.
- Residential slabs: 1–50 (lifeline), 51–100, 101–200, 201–300, 301–400, 401–500, 501–600, 601–700, above 700.
- Protected consumers must stay at or below 200 units for six consecutive months.
- Losing protected status pushes you onto the non-protected schedule for at least six months.
- Fixed charges apply above defined load and consumption levels.
Residential tariff categories
Live per-kWh figures for each band are maintained on the unit rates page and are updated when NEPRA notifies a change.
| Category | Who it covers | Key rule |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeline | Up to 50 units per month for the qualifying period | Lowest notified rate, largely shielded from FPA |
| Protected | At or below 200 units for six consecutive months | Subsidised slab rates for 1–100 and 101–200 |
| Non-protected | Anyone who exceeds 200 units in the window | Higher slab rates across all bands |
| Time of use | Larger loads with a ToU meter | Separate peak and off-peak rates |
Commercial and industrial tariffs
Commercial connections (shops, offices, restaurants) are billed on the A-2 schedule, which has a higher energy rate than domestic and adds a fixed charge based on sanctioned load. Larger commercial premises are metered on time of use.
Industrial connections fall under the B categories, distinguished by voltage level and load. They pay lower per-unit energy rates than commercial consumers but carry substantial capacity and fixed charges, which is why load management matters more than raw consumption for factories.
- A-1: residential.
- A-2: commercial, with fixed charge per kW of sanctioned load.
- A-3: general services — mosques, hospitals, government offices.
- B-1 to B-4: industrial by load and supply voltage.
- D: agricultural tubewells, often subsidy supported.
- G: public lighting and street lights.
What sits on top of the tariff
The slab rate is only the energy cost. Fuel price adjustment, the quarterly tariff adjustment, TR surcharge, GST, electricity duty, PTV fee and income tax are all added afterwards. A tariff of Rs X per unit therefore translates into a materially higher effective cost per unit on the final bill.
The advanced tariff calculator models every one of these lines, so it is the fastest way to convert a units figure into a realistic rupee estimate.
How and when tariffs change
- NEPRA determines the base tariff annually after public hearings.
- The federal government notifies a uniform tariff applied by every DISCO, including LESCO.
- Monthly fuel price adjustments and quarterly adjustments modify the effective rate between determinations.
- Subsidy decisions for protected and lifeline consumers are announced through the Power Division.
Helpful tips
- Track your running units mid-month; if you are at 180 units on day 22, small changes can keep you protected.
- For a shop, compare A-2 fixed charges against your actual load — an over-sanctioned load costs money every month.
- Recheck the unit rates page after any budget or NEPRA announcement.
Warnings & common mistakes
- Rates published anywhere online — including here — are informational; the authoritative figures are on your bill and NEPRA notifications.
- Using a commercial premises on a domestic connection is a tariff violation and attracts detection billing.
- Crossing 200 units even once can cost you protected status for six months.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current LESCO per unit rate?
It depends on your slab and whether you are a protected consumer. The unit rates page lists the current per-kWh figure for each residential band, and your own bill shows the rate actually applied.
Why did my rate jump when I used slightly more units?
Above 300 units the tariff applies the rate of the slab reached to the whole month's consumption, so crossing a boundary raises the price of every unit, not just the extra ones.
Is the LESCO tariff different from other DISCOs?
No. The federal government notifies a uniform tariff, so LESCO, MEPCO, IESCO, GEPCO and FESCO consumers pay the same slab rates for the same category.
What tariff applies to a shop?
Commercial premises are billed on the A-2 tariff, which combines a higher energy rate with a fixed charge based on sanctioned load.
How often do tariffs change?
The base tariff is determined annually, but the effective rate changes monthly through the fuel price adjustment and quarterly through the tariff adjustment.
Check your LESCO bill now
Enter your 14-digit reference number to view the current amount, due date and full billing history.
Open LESCO bill check