ISLAMABAD: In a sigh of relief, Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) consumers in Rawalpindi and Islamabad have started receiving a subsidy of Rs14 per unit on their electricity bills, as announced by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
Residents of Islamabad, despite being in a federally administered area, will also benefit from this relief as they fall under IESCO’s jurisdiction.
Earlier, IESCO spokesperson Raja Asim stated that domestic consumers who have already paid their August electricity bills will have the excess amount adjusted in their September bills.
He added that domestic consumers who have not yet paid their August bills will receive revised and subsidised bills reflecting the Rs14 per unit relief.
The spokesperson also mentioned that bills for consumers in batches six to 15 were being printed according to the relief announced by the Punjab government and will be delivered to their homes.
Asim further clarified that the due dates for bill payments have been extended, and the updated bills will be uploaded on IESCO’s website.
The Punjab government had announced immediate relief for electricity consumers using up to 500 units for the months of August and September.
The provincial government had sought detailed financial estimates from distribution companies, including IESCO, by August 19 regarding the payment of the subsidy.
Earlier, a spokesperson for the Punjab government stated that, on the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, official letters had been sent to the five electricity distribution companies: Lahore Electric Supply Company, Faisalabad Electric Supply Company, Multan Electric Power Company, Gujranwala Electric Power Company, and Islamabad Electric Supply Company, seeking financial details to facilitate payments against the subsidy.
These companies were directed to calculate and report the total financial costs after the Rs14 per unit subsidy.
The Punjab government has pledged to offset the difference between the actual cost of electricity and the reduced rates for citizens using between 201 and 500 units as part of its relief package.