One of the key enablers of the rollout is the recent price reduction of single-phase smart meters. The government has cut the price from around Rs 20,000 to Rs 15,000 per unit. A spokesperson explained that significant procurement reforms and competitive market engagement made the cost reduction possible.
Scope and Scale of Deployment
Approximately 80 % of Pakistan’s roughly 38 million electricity consumers are on single-phase connections. The government estimates that replacing about five million meters each year could yield savings of around Rs 25 billion annually.
Benefits for Consumers and Discos
By transitioning to smart meters, several important benefits are anticipated:
- Remote meter reading will largely replace manual readings, reducing errors and disputes over billing.
- Consumers will have access to real-time consumption data via mobile applications, enabling better control of monthly bills.
- Distribution companies (discos) will benefit from improved operational management, lower line losses, and fewer complaints tied to faulty readings.
Digitalisation and Power Sector Reform
Officials view this rollout as a significant milestone in Pakistan’s power sector’s digital transformation. The reduced meter cost, combined with large-scale deployment, signals the government’s intent to modernise infrastructure, enhance service quality, and build public trust in utility providers.
What Lies Ahead
While the immediate price cut has jump-started the programme, further reductions are expected as the ministry pursues global competitive bidding for smart-meter procurement. As the rollout progresses, authorities must carefully monitor the process and maintain open communication to ensure accuracy, transparency, and consumer empowerment.
Conclusion
The smart-meter price cut and nationwide rollout mark a bold step toward upgrading Pakistan’s electricity metering system. With costs lowered, consumers empowered, and service quality on the rise, the initiative holds the potential to reshape the distribution landscape—if execution remains consistent and transparent.
