The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has approved a significant salary hike for its senior officials, with some receiving up to three times their previous compensation. Following cabinet approval, the NEPRA Chairman’s salary has been set at Rs 3.25 million, and other senior officials will earn up to Rs 2.95 million. This increase includes a basic salary of Rs 773,000, alongside various allowances, including a regulatory allowance of up to Rs 700,000 per month.
The decision has drawn scrutiny, as NEPRA officials have approved allowances based on judicial allowances granted to judges, with figures ranging from Rs 631,000 to Rs 700,000. Additionally, ad hoc relief ranging from Rs 587,000 to Rs 650,000 has been provided for 2024, and a utility allowance of Rs 32,000 to Rs 35,000 is included in the revised package. The revised compensation now exceeds that of higher court judges, sparking concerns over the lack of government oversight in these changes.
Also Read: NEPRA Raises Electricity Prices for Karachi
This salary increase comes on the heels of the National Assembly passing an amendment to the Salaries and Allowances Bill, which raised the salaries of Parliament members by 200%, equating them to the pay of federal secretaries. The simultaneous increases in both NEPRA officials’ salaries and lawmakers’ allowances have ignited debates about the prioritization of public sector salaries over relief for consumers.
Meanwhile, NEPRA’s refusal to grant significant relief to electricity consumers in Karachi has stirred criticism from local business groups. The Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) has condemned the ruling, accusing NEPRA and K-Electric of failing to deliver on their promises to ease the financial burden on consumers.
