Understand the crucial difference between protected and non-protected consumers and how it drastically affects your monthly electricity bill.
A difference of a single unit of electricity can literally double your Mepco bill. This isn't a glitch—it's the harsh reality of Pakistan's Protected vs. Non-Protected Tariff system. Understanding this threshold is vital for every residential consumer.
Usage: Consistently 1 to 200 Units
Per Unit Rate: Hugely subsidized (~Rs. 7 to 10)
Government absorbs the bulk of generation costs to protect low-income households.
Usage: Crossing 200 Units (even once)
Per Unit Rate: Market Rate (~Rs. 25 to 65+)
All subsidies are removed. You pay full market price and fixed capacity charges.
If you consume exactly 200 units, your Mepco bill remains low. But if you hit 201 units, you immediately lose protected status. The per-unit cost across the board instantly multiplies, transforming a ~Rs. 2,000 bill into a staggering ~Rs. 5,500+ shock.
The system is unforgiving. If you cross the 200-unit mark even in a single month during summer, your Mepco bill is automatically shifted into the Non-Protected category globally for the next 6 consecutive months, regardless of whether you drop back down to 100 units the following month. You must maintain consumption below 200 units for an unbroken 6-month stretch to earn back Protected status.
Use your meter directly to your advantage. Learn how to read your MEPCO meter physically throughout the month. If it's the 25th of the month and you are at 195 units, drastically cut all non-essential usage. Review our comprehensive 2026 Tariff Rates table to see exactly how vast the price difference is between the two lifelines.
A Non-Protected tariff jump can add an extra Rs. 10 to Rs. 30 per unit including all associated GST and Fuel Adjustment surcharges. For example, a Non-Protected domestic consumer using 201 units will immediately see a minimum expected Mepco bill surging well past Rs. 6,000, simply because the heavily discounted subsidized rates have been permanently revoked.
Monitoring your Mepco bill meter reading mid-month is critical.