The Ministry of Energy (Power Division) has driven down the cost of single-phase smart electricity meters by 25%, a strategic intervention projected to generate approximately PKR 25 billion in annual national savings while advancing the widespread digitalization of the power sector.
A spokesperson for the Power Division today confirmed the initiative is a core component of a comprehensive modernization drive by electricity distribution companies (DISCOs). This push aligns with the Ministry”s declaration of 2025-26 as the ‘Year of Customer Service Improvement,’ aiming to enhance infrastructure, ensure real-time data access, and improve the overall customer experience.
The high price of smart meters was identified as a primary obstacle to their large-scale adoption. For the roughly 80% of Pakistan’s nearly 38 million consumers who use single-phase connections, the cost of a smart meter was previously around PKR 20,000. Through transparent procurement and focused monitoring, the Power Division has successfully reduced this price to approximately PKR 15,000.
Officials anticipate that this cost reduction, based on an annual replacement rate of five million meters, will yield the substantial national savings. The lower price point also eases the financial strain on individuals applying for new connections, making advanced metering technology more accessible. It is further expected that prices will continue to decline through upcoming international competitive bidding processes.
The transition to smart meters is set to overhaul the meter-reading process by minimizing human involvement. Automated and remote data collection will significantly improve billing accuracy and is intended to build consumer confidence by addressing long-standing issues related to faulty or disputed readings.
Once deployed, the new technology will empower customers by allowing them to monitor their electricity usage in real time via mobile applications. This feature is designed to give users greater control over their energy consumption and help them manage household electricity expenses more effectively.
Key benefits for consumers include access to precise, tamper-proof readings and the future possibility of prepaid metering services.
For the DISCOs, the advantages include remote meter reading, accelerated billing and complaint resolution, enhanced grid visibility, and real-time outage detection for quicker fault restoration. This leads to improved operational management and safety across the power network.
This program marks a critical step in the Government of Pakistan”s ongoing power sector reform agenda, aimed at creating an efficient, transparent, and customer-centric electricity distribution system.