Pakistan’s electricity consumers under LESCO and MEPCO are likely to face an increase in their New FPA for February 2026 bills due to a pending Fuel Price Adjustment (FPA), also known as Fuel Charges Adjustment (FCA), stemming from higher fuel costs in December 2025. NEPRA has scheduled a public hearing for January 29, 2026, to review CPPA-G’s petition for an adjustment of up to Rs 0.48 per unit. This adjustment applies uniformly to ex-WAPDA DISCOs like LESCO and MEPCO, excluding lifeline and certain protected consumers.
Understanding FPA Mechanism
FPA adjusts electricity tariffs monthly to reflect actual fuel costs against a reference price, covering fuels like furnace oil, gas, and coal used in power generation. CPPA-G petitions NEPRA after each month’s data; approved rates appear in bills 1-2 months later—for December 2025 usage, expect reflection in February 2026 bills. In December 2025, actual fuel cost reached Rs9.62 per unit versus Rs9.14 reference, prompting the Rs0.4781/kWh request after prior adjustments.
Impact on LESCO and MEPCO Consumers
LESCO serves Lahore and nearby areas, while MEPCO covers Multan and southern Punjab, both issuing bills with due dates aligning FPA pass-through in February. For a household using 300 units, a Rs0.48/unit FPA adds Rs144 to the bill, plus taxes like GST on the total. Recent notifications on January 13 confirm S.R.O.s for LESCO (No. 46(I)/2026) and MEPCO (No. 47(I)/2026), likely implementing prior adjustments but signaling ongoing revisions.
Calculation Example
| Consumption (Units) | Base Cost (Rs34/unit approx.) | FPA (Rs0.48/unit) | Extra FPA Amount | Total Bill Increase (excl. taxes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | Rs3,400 | Rs48 | Rs48 | Rs48 |
| 300 | Rs10,200 | Rs144 | Rs144 | Rs144 |
| 500 | Rs17,000 | Rs240 | Rs240 | Rs240 |
This table assumes average base tariff near Rs33-34/unit for 2026; actual varies by slab and prior FPA.
Current Status and Outlook
NEPRA’s hearing on December 2025 FPA remains pending as of January 21, 2026, with no final decision yet. Recent trends show mixed adjustments: negative Rs0.93/unit for November 2025 (in January bills) but positive requests like this due to volatile global fuel prices. Consumers should monitor NEPRA notifications and bills; government subsidies may offset some impact via uniform tariffs. LESCO and MEPCO recently faced NEPRA fines for inefficiencies, potentially influencing future adjustments.
Farhan Shafique is a Pakistan-based researcher and content writer specializing in electricity billing systems and public utility services. He has spent years studying billing structures, tariff calculations, and consumer rights to help people better understand their monthly bills. Through detailed guides and step-by-step explanations, he aims to simplify complex utility processes for everyday users.