Electricity Subsidy
Cross Subsidy Program Pakistan 2026
The Cross Subsidy Program places eligible low-consumption households on the protected electricity tariff (A-1P), cutting their per-unit rate by more than half compared to the standard rate. Registration is free, takes under five minutes, and the lower rate applies automatically each month.
- Protected consumers pay Rs 10.54–13.01/unit vs Rs 22.44–28.91/unit for non-protected
- Eligible if you use 200 units or fewer per month on a residential connection
- Register free via QR code on your bill or at css.pitc.com.pk
Eligibility at a glance
Residential connection only
The meter must be a domestic electricity connection. Commercial, industrial, and agriculture connections are not eligible.
200 units or fewer per month
Your average consumption over the last six months must not exceed 200 units. Exceeding 200 units in any single month may pause the subsidy for that month.
No air conditioner on the meter
No air conditioner must be registered against your electricity meter. Having an AC on the connection disqualifies the household regardless of actual usage.
Sanctioned load under 5 kW
The total sanctioned (contracted) load on your connection must be below 5 kilowatts. This is printed on your electricity bill.
Electricity Subsidy
What Is the Cross Subsidy Program?
Pakistan's electricity tariff uses a cross-subsidy mechanism: higher-consuming and industrial consumers pay a rate above their cost of service, and the surplus is used to lower the rate for low-consumption residential households. Of the estimated Rs 527 billion in residential electricity subsidies for FY2025-26, Rs 249 billion comes from the federal government and Rs 278 billion is provided through this cross-subsidy from other consumers. The Cross Subsidy Program is the formal scheme, administered by PITC and regulated by NEPRA, that registers eligible households so they are automatically billed at the lower protected (A-1P) rate rather than the standard domestic rate.
Electricity Subsidy
Protected vs Non-Protected Electricity Rates
The table below shows the 2026 per-unit energy charges for protected (A-1P) and non-protected domestic consumers. The difference on a 200-unit bill can exceed Rs 3,000.
Protected (A-1P)
- 1–100 units
- Rs 10.54 / unit
- 101–200 units
- Rs 13.01 / unit
Non-Protected
- 1–100 units
- Rs 22.44 / unit
- 101–200 units
- Rs 28.91 / unit
Lifeline (1–100 units, special low-use category)
Rs 3.95 / unit
Consumers using up to 100 units who also meet lifeline criteria may qualify for the lowest available rate under a separate NEPRA-defined category.
Rates are NEPRA-approved energy charges for FY2025-26 for ex-WAPDA DISCOs. Fixed charges, GST, FPA, and other surcharges also apply and differ between protected and non-protected categories. Non-protected consumers pay higher fixed charges as well.
Electricity Subsidy
How to Register for the Cross Subsidy Program
There are two methods: scanning the QR code printed on your latest electricity bill, or going directly to the PITC online portal. Both are free and take under five minutes.
- 1
Find the QR code
Look for the Cross Subsidy Program QR code printed on your latest electricity bill. It is usually in the upper or lower portion of the bill.
- 2
Scan with your phone
Open your phone camera or Google Lens and scan the QR code. It will take you directly to the PITC eligibility checker at css.pitc.com.pk.
- 3
Enter your details
Enter your 14-digit reference number from the bill, your CNIC number, and your registered mobile number. Confirm your name, address, and DISCO.
- 4
Verify via OTP
A 6-digit OTP is sent to your registered mobile number. Enter it within 5 minutes to complete registration. You will receive a 'Registration Successful' confirmation by SMS.
- 1
Visit css.pitc.com.pk
Go to the official PITC Cross Subsidy portal at css.pitc.com.pk on any browser. No app download is required.
- 2
Enter your reference number
Type your 14-digit electricity reference number. The portal will pull up your connection details automatically.
- 3
Provide CNIC and mobile
Enter your CNIC number and the mobile number registered with your DISCO. These are used to verify identity and send the OTP.
- 4
Complete OTP verification
Enter the 6-digit OTP sent to your phone. Registration completes instantly and the protected rate applies from your next billing cycle.
What You Need
- 14-digit reference number (printed at the top of your electricity bill)
- CNIC number (national identity card number)
- Mobile number registered with your DISCO
The 200-Unit Rule: What Happens If You Go Over
This is the most important rule to understand once you are registered.
If your consumption exceeds 200 units in any single month, the subsidy pauses for that billing period and you are charged at non-protected rates for that month. Unlike the older six-month disqualification rule, the current system allows the subsidy to return automatically the following month once your usage drops back to 200 units or below — but you should still avoid crossing 200 units whenever possible, because a single over-200 month at non-protected rates can cost Rs 3,000–7,000 more than a protected bill.
Tips to Stay Under 200 Units
Switch to LED bulbs throughout the house — a single LED uses 8–10 W versus 60–100 W for incandescent.
Unplug devices on standby; idle electronics account for up to 10% of a household's consumption.
Run your refrigerator at 4°C (fridge) and -18°C (freezer) — colder settings add units without benefit.
Use fans instead of air conditioning when possible. One AC hour equals roughly 5–8 fan hours in units.
Check your bill monthly, not just when it arrives, by using the bill check on this site.
Electricity Subsidy
Who Qualifies for the Cross Subsidy Program?
All four conditions must be met at the time of registration and must continue to hold for the subsidy to stay active.
Residential connection only
The meter must be a domestic electricity connection. Commercial, industrial, and agriculture connections are not eligible.
200 units or fewer per month
Your average consumption over the last six months must not exceed 200 units. Exceeding 200 units in any single month may pause the subsidy for that month.
No air conditioner on the meter
No air conditioner must be registered against your electricity meter. Having an AC on the connection disqualifies the household regardless of actual usage.
Sanctioned load under 5 kW
The total sanctioned (contracted) load on your connection must be below 5 kilowatts. This is printed on your electricity bill.
Who Is Excluded
- K-Electric consumers in Karachi — K-Electric is not on the PITC billing system and manages its own tariff structure.
- Multiple connections under one CNIC — the subsidy applies to only one meter per CNIC number.
- Connections with an AC registered on the meter, regardless of consumption.
- Commercial, industrial, or agricultural connections.
Electricity Subsidy
Which Distribution Companies Are Covered
The Cross Subsidy Program covers all 11 distribution companies on the PITC billing system. K-Electric is the only major utility excluded, as it operates its own separate system.
- LESCO
- MEPCO
- FESCO
- IESCO
- GEPCO
- PESCO
- HESCO
- SEPCO
- QESCO
- TESCO
- HAZECO
K-Electric (Karachi) consumers are not covered. K-Electric manages its own tariff structure independently of PITC and NEPRA's cross-subsidy mechanism.
Electricity Subsidy
Cross Subsidy Program — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cross Subsidy Program in Pakistan?
It is a government-backed scheme administered by PITC and regulated by NEPRA that places eligible low-consumption residential households on the protected (A-1P) electricity tariff. Protected consumers pay roughly half the per-unit rate that non-protected consumers pay, saving up to Rs 2,000 per month on their electricity bill.
What is the eligibility for the Cross Subsidy Program?
You must have a residential electricity connection, average 200 units or fewer per month over the last six months, have no air conditioner registered on the meter, and have a sanctioned load below 5 kW. All four conditions must be met. K-Electric consumers are excluded.
How do I register for the Cross Subsidy Program?
Scan the QR code printed on your latest electricity bill, or visit css.pitc.com.pk directly. You need your 14-digit reference number, CNIC number, and registered mobile number. Registration is free, takes under five minutes, and is confirmed by SMS OTP.
What is the official website for Cross Subsidy Program registration?
The official PITC registration portal is css.pitc.com.pk. There is no fee and no third-party agent is required. Be cautious of unofficial websites that may charge a fee or ask for bank details.
What happens if I use more than 200 units in a month?
If you exceed 200 units in a single month, the subsidy pauses for that billing period and you are charged at the higher non-protected rates for that month. The subsidy can return automatically the following month if your usage drops back to 200 units or below.
Can I register more than one connection for the Cross Subsidy Program?
No. The subsidy applies to only one electricity meter per CNIC number. If you have multiple domestic connections registered under the same CNIC, only one connection qualifies.
Are K-Electric consumers eligible?
No. K-Electric operates independently of the PITC billing system that the Cross Subsidy Program is built on. K-Electric customers in Karachi are not covered and should contact K-Electric directly about their own tariff and subsidy schemes.
How much can I save with the Cross Subsidy Program?
At 200 units per month, a protected consumer pays approximately Rs 2,200–2,600 in energy charges, while a non-protected consumer pays approximately Rs 5,200–6,000 for the same usage. The difference is Rs 3,000–3,400 per month in energy charges alone, before fixed charges and taxes.
Do I need to renew my registration every year?
No. Once registered, the protected rate applies automatically each month as long as your usage stays at or below 200 units and the other eligibility conditions remain met. There is no annual renewal process.
What is the difference between protected and non-protected consumers?
Protected (A-1P) consumers pay Rs 10.54/unit for 1–100 units and Rs 13.01/unit for 101–200 units. Non-protected consumers pay Rs 22.44/unit for 1–100 units and Rs 28.91/unit for 101–200 units, plus higher fixed charges. The difference roughly doubles the bill for the same number of units.
Resources
Related Resources
Other guides for electricity consumers in Pakistan.