Electricity consumers hit by overbilling amid meter failures

Delayed replacements, estimated billing cause financial strain across S Punjab

MAILSI:

Thousands of consumers across the Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) region are facing difficulties due to the prolonged delay in replacing faulty electricity meters, which has led to widespread complaints of overbilling and financial distress.

According to MEPCO data, as of the end of September 2025, a total of 87,971 meters were declared defective across its nine operational circles - including 86,473 single-phase and 1,498 three-phase units.

Sources said the replacement process for defective meters, as well as the installation of meters for new connections despite payment of demand notices, has been virtually halted for the past two months.

As a result, consumers with faulty meters are being charged on estimated or "average" billing, often far exceeding their actual consumption. Many customers have complained about receiving inflated bills.

Official figures reveal that the Muzaffargarh Circle tops the list with 14,838 single-phase and 76 three-phase defective meters, followed by Multan Circle with 11,800 single-phase and 137 three-phase meters.

In Bahawalnagar, 10,233 single-phase and 136 three-phase meters were found faulty, while Bahawalpur reported 10,802 single-phase and 165 three-phase meters in poor condition.

Similarly, Sahiwal Circle recorded 10,160 single-phase and 573 three-phase defective meters; Khanewal had 8,068 single-phase and 67 three-phase; Vehari reported 7,203 single-phase and 201 three-phase; Rahim Yar Khan had 6,413 single-phase and 78 three-phase; and DG Khan Circle listed 6,956 single-phase and 65 three-phase faulty meters.

Officials noted that these numbers exclude meters that are faulty but have not yet been officially coded as "defective."

In the Mailsi Division - comprising four sub-divisions: City First Mailsi, City Second Mailsi, Tibba Sultanpur and Sardar Pur Jhandir, 2,038 single-phase and 36 three-phase meters remain out of order. Local consumers have expressed frustration over the lack of timely replacement.

Muhammad Javed, a labourer and MEPCO consumer, told The Express that after shifting from a joint to a separate family setup, his monthly usage dropped below 200 units, yet he received a bill of Rs34,000 based on an average of 592 units due to a faulty meter.

"This is an injustice," he lamented.

A similar issue was reported by the management of a mosque in Chak 195/WB, where the power system has been shifted to solar energy. Despite minimal grid usage, the mosque continues to receive inflated "average" bills because of a faulty meter.

Consumers using solar energy also complained that they are still being charged based on last year's consumption, nullifying the financial benefit of switching to renewable power.

A MEPCO spokesperson acknowledged the issue, saying, "We are aware of the situation. The replacement of defective meters and installation of new ones will be completed on a priority basis."