There is a tendency to use the rise in electricity prices for political purposes. While it's true that the average person is paying more for power, a big part of this is because many don't know why these rates have increased. Before forming an opinion on this matter, it's vital to comprehend the following things.

                      
1. Fuel costs and the availability of foreign currency for fuel purchases are the key factors influencing electricity pricing.

2. Pakistan is vulnerable to changes in the dollar exchange rate since it imports energy including coal, diesel, and furnace oil.

3. Because Independent Power Producers (IPPs) are paid in dollars, exchange rate fluctuations have a greater effect.

4. Pakistan was compelled by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to allow the market, rather than the government, to determine the exchange rate for the dollar.

5. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) was given authority by the Imran Khan-led administration to comply with IMF requirements, prohibiting false currency rate management.

6. Due to the oppressive heat and humidity, July and August in Pakistan are the months with the highest electricity usage in both the household and agricultural sectors.  Due to Eid Ul Azha near the end of June 2023, this impact coupled. People made heavy use of electricity.

7. Moreover there are approximately 45% taxes which are included in the electricity bills.

8. Criteria of inclusion and exclusion of protective consumers and non-protective consumers is also the main reason of inflated bills.

How Reduce Electricity Bills:

a. It's critical to combat energy theft (line losses), and quick action against offenders could have stopped it in its tracks.

b. Domestic consumers use the majority of electricity (75%), and growing consumption results in higher bills and public discontent.

c. Utilising ideas from other nations and promoting energy efficiency can assist control consumption.

d. The benefits of PTCL are cited by certain academics as   justification for privatizing electricity distribution firms (Discos).

f.  Criteria of inclusion and exclusion of protective consumers and non-protective consumers should be relaxed. Currently criteria for exclusion of protective category to non-protective category is that if any consumer consumes electricity above 200 units in any one month, it will be categorized as non-protective consumer. These criteria should be changed and it should be extended to at least 03 months.

e. Government should provide solar panel to domestic consumers having load less than five 05 and tubewell consumers. Solar panel will play pivotal role in reduction of electricity consumption.

f. Privatization might bring in competition, which might result in consumer benefits and self-sufficiency.

Sitting Government should focus on these suggestions if they are willing to resolve the grievances of the consumers.