Protected and unprotected consumers pay very different electricity rates in Pakistan. A protected home pays Rs 10.54 for the first 100 units and Rs 13.01 for the next 100, while an unprotected home pays Rs 22.44 to Rs 47.20 on every unit. On 150 units that difference is about Rs 3,648 a month.
Last updated: 4 November 2026 by Ahmed. Rates checked against the NEPRA tariff notification and LESCO’s official bill estimator on 4 November 2026.
Check your own bill with our Electricity Bill Calculator: choose “Protected” or “Unprotected” and it shows both bills side by side.
Who Is a Protected Consumer?
Under the NEPRA tariff (S.R.O. 279(I)/2026) a domestic consumer is protected when:
- the sanctioned load is less than 5 kW, and
- the meter recorded 200 units or less in each of the last 6 months.
Everyone else on a domestic connection is unprotected. Knowing which group you are in matters, because protected and unprotected consumers are billed in completely different ways. Your bill prints the status near the tariff code, usually as “Protected” or “Un-Protected”. Lifeline is a separate category for very small users (up to 100 units) with a sanctioned load of 1 kW or less.
Rates for Protected and Unprotected Consumers (2026)
| Category | Rate per unit | Fixed charge per kW |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeline up to 50 units | Rs 3.95 | None |
| Lifeline 51-100 units | Rs 7.74 | None |
| Protected 1-100 units | Rs 10.54 | Rs 200 |
| Protected 101-200 units | Rs 13.01 | Rs 300 |
| Unprotected 1-100 units | Rs 22.44 | Rs 275 |
| Unprotected 101-200 units | Rs 28.91 | Rs 300 |
| Unprotected 201-300 units | Rs 33.10 | Rs 350 |
| Unprotected 301-400 units | Rs 36.46 | Rs 400 |
| Unprotected 401-500 units | Rs 38.95 | Rs 500 |
| Unprotected 501-600 units | Rs 40.22 | Rs 675 |
| Unprotected 601-700 units | Rs 41.85 | Rs 675 |
| Unprotected Above 700 units | Rs 47.20 | Rs 675 |
Protected consumers also get the benefit of one previous slab: at 150 units the first 100 are billed at Rs 10.54 and only 50 at Rs 13.01. Unprotected consumers do not get this benefit, so all 150 units are billed at Rs 28.91.
Protected and Unprotected Consumers: Bill Comparison
Bills below are for a 1 kW connection with the current fuel adjustment (Rs 1.1086) and quarterly adjustment (Rs 0.5194), 1.5% duty and 18% GST. Protected homes pay an FC surcharge of Rs 0.43 per unit against Rs 3.23 for unprotected homes.
| Units | Protected bill | Unprotected bill | Extra paid if unprotected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 units | Rs 990 | Rs 1,956 | Rs 966 |
| 100 units | Rs 1,744 | Rs 3,588 | Rs 1,844 |
| 150 units | Rs 2,764 | Rs 6,412 | Rs 3,648 |
| 180 units | Rs 3,305 | Rs 7,624 | Rs 4,319 |
| 200 units | Rs 3,666 | Rs 8,431 | Rs 4,765 |
The 201-Unit Trap
Using 201 units even once makes you unprotected for the next six months. With a typical 150-unit pattern, that one month costs you about Rs 3,648 extra in each of the following six bills, roughly Rs 21,888 in total. Summer AC use and guests in winter are the usual reasons people lose protection. This six-month rule is the single biggest money difference between protected and unprotected consumers.
How to stay protected
- Read your meter around the 20th day after the last reading and slow down if you are near 190 units.
- Run the AC or water heater on a timer instead of all day.
- Check the “units history” box on your bill: all six months must show 200 or less.
- If your family genuinely needs more power, compare the bill with a solar system instead of fighting the limit every month.
Fixed Charges for Protected and Unprotected Consumers
Since February 2026, NEPRA charges a monthly fixed amount per kW of sanctioned load to both groups. Protected homes pay Rs 200 per kW (up to 100 units) or Rs 300 per kW (101 to 200 units). Unprotected homes pay Rs 275 to Rs 675 per kW. Only lifeline users are exempt, so fixed charges are another gap between protected and unprotected consumers. If your sanctioned load is more than you need, apply to your DISCO to reduce it.
What About Lifeline Consumers?
Lifeline users (up to 100 units) pay Rs 3.95 or Rs 7.74 per unit, no fixed charge and no fuel or quarterly adjustment. They do not get any slab benefit, so 51 units are all billed at Rs 7.74. Above 100 units the normal unprotected rates apply. Lifeline users are counted separately from protected and unprotected consumers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between protected and unprotected consumers?
Protected consumers used 200 units or less in each of the last 6 months and pay Rs 10.54 to Rs 13.01 per unit. Unprotected consumers pay Rs 22.44 to Rs 47.20 per unit on every unit.
How many units make you unprotected?
Using 201 units or more in any one month. You then stay unprotected for the next 6 months.
How do I become a protected consumer again?
Keep your use at 200 units or less for 6 months in a row. The DISCO billing system changes your status automatically.
Do protected consumers pay fixed charges?
Yes, since February 2026: Rs 200 per kW up to 100 units and Rs 300 per kW for 101 to 200 units.
Do protected consumers pay the fuel adjustment?
Usually yes. Only lifeline consumers, prepaid meters and EV charging stations are excluded from the monthly fuel adjustment, unless NEPRA says otherwise for a particular month.
This guide is for general information only. Your DISCO bill may include meter rent, arrears or a different monthly fuel adjustment, so always check the figures on your own bill.
Related Guides
- Electricity Bill Calculator for any units, load and DISCO
- Electricity per unit price in Pakistan 2026
- LESCO bill calculator guide
- IESCO bill calculator guide
- How to become a filer in Pakistan (avoid 7.5% tax on big bills)
- Income tax slabs 2026-27
Sources
- NEPRA / Ministry of Energy: S.R.O. 279(I)/2026, uniform tariff with fixed charges (12 February 2026)
- LESCO: official Bill Estimator (checked 4 November 2026)
- Dawn: NEPRA FCA Rs 2.0581 and QTA Rs 0.5194 (September to November 2026 bills)
- Daily Times: NEPRA reserves verdict on Rs 2.56 FCA for September 2026
- FBR: Withholding tax rate card 2026-27 (section 235, electricity bills)