IESCO seeks 54% tariff hike to Rs43.54 per unit ahead of privatisation

Islamabad Electric Supply Company, known as IESCO, has asked the regulator for a 54% tariff increase, taking the rate to Rs43.54 per unit from Rs28.20 for calendar year 2027. Profit, citing Business Recorder, said the company wants the higher rate to shore up its finances ahead of privatisation. The proposal was tabled at a NEPRA public hearing on Thursday.

Alongside its own petition, the company is seeking Rs157.864 billion in prior-year adjustments to cover accumulated obligations. Management told the regulator the Privatisation Commission had instructed it to tidy its balance sheet before any sale to private buyers. Part of the adjustment covers power sent to Azad Jammu and Kashmir, roughly 17% of the company's supply.

NEPRA member Amina Ahmed questioned recovering the full amount in one step, arguing the burden should be spread over phases. The regulator also challenged IESCO's advanced metering rollout in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, saying areas with higher theft should come first. Separately, the hearing also looked at tariff petitions from HESCO and SEPCO, where SEPCO's 36% recovery rate in FY26 drew scrutiny.