KARACHI – Amid growing confusion over electricity bills, K-Electric issued clarification after a viral social media claim suggested that consumers using more than 200 electricity units in a single month would permanently lose their Protected Category status.
The power utility ruled out the circulating claims, saying that exceeding the 200-unit threshold does not result in the immediate or permanent loss of Protected Category benefits.
According to K-Electric, Non-Time-of-Use (Non-TOU) consumers who exceed the limit can still regain their Protected Category status by keeping their monthly electricity consumption at 200 units or below for six consecutive months. The company stressed that the facility is not withdrawn forever, contrary to the misinformation being shared online.
The clarification comes after an alleged notice spread rapidly across social media, claiming that Protected Category consumers would automatically and permanently be removed from the subsidized category if they crossed the 200-unit mark even once.
Responding to the viral posts, a K-Electric spokesperson said the claims are false and misleading, adding that no changes have been made to the eligibility criteria for the Protected Category.
The utility has urged consumers not to rely on unverified social media posts and instead confirm any such information through K-Electric’s official communication channels.
The clarification is expected to provide relief to thousands of consumers concerned that a single month of higher electricity consumption could permanently deprive them of Protected Category benefits.
Protected vs Non-Protected Electricity Consumers
Residential consumers are divided into two categories, Protected and Non-Protected, based on their monthly power usage. This classification determines how much they pay per unit of electricity. Households that use 200 units (kWh) or less every month consistently (usually checked over the last 6 billing months).
Usually single-phase connections with low sanctioned load. Often no AC registered on the meter. They get government subsidies and pay much lower electricity rates. This makes electricity more affordable for low-income and energy-conscious families.
Anyone who exceeds 200 units in even a single month, or has higher load connections lose subsidy benefits and pay higher per-unit rates. They also bear the full impact of fuel price adjustments and taxes.
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