TV Fee, GST, ET & TRS Explained

Definition. Beyond units × rate, a Pakistani electricity bill adds federal and provincial taxes (GST, ED), government surcharges (TRS, Neelum-Jhelum, financing cost), and a fixed PTV licence fee collected on behalf of the state broadcaster.

Units times rate is only part of the bill. Here's what the TV licence fee, GST, Electricity Duty, TRS, and the other surcharge lines actually pay for.

GST

General Sales Tax is charged federally on the total cost of electricity — units multiplied by tariff, plus FPA and surcharges. The rate follows the Sales Tax Act and has sat between 17% and 18% historically. Lifeline consumers don't pay it.

Electricity Duty (ED)

This is a provincial charge, typically 1%–1.5% of the base tariff, collected by the DISCO on the province's behalf. It shows as its own line and the exact percentage differs slightly by province.

Tariff Rationalization Surcharge (TRS)

TRS spreads costs across DISCOs so that consumers in stronger-performing regions like IESCO or LESCO effectively help cover loss-making ones. NEPRA sets the per-unit rate, and the bill labels it TR Surcharge or something similar.

Neelum-Jhelum and financing cost surcharges

These fund specific obligations — a hydropower project and the power sector's circular debt repayment respectively. Both are charged per unit and appear as their own line items.

PTV fee

A flat PKR 35 per month for domestic consumers (commercial rates are higher), collected for Pakistan Television Corporation. It has nothing to do with how much electricity you used, and there's no way to opt out of it on the bill itself.

Frequently asked questions

Can I dispute the PTV fee?

The fee is mandated by government notification. Consumers in some categories (for example, mosques, lifeline) have exemptions; ask your DISCO's commercial office for current eligibility.

Why did my GST amount jump even though units were similar?

GST is a percentage of the total energy charge including FPA and surcharges. A spike in FPA pushes the base higher and therefore the GST number too.