The federal government has officially launched a new mobile application, “Apna Meter, Apni Reading,” designed to give electricity consumers greater control over their monthly billing. The app aims to improve billing accuracy, reduce overbilling, and enhance transparency across Pakistan’s power sector.
Take Charge of Your Bill
With “Apna Meter, Apni Reading,” consumers can now submit their own meter readings by uploading a photo of their electricity meter on a designated date each month. This reading will be used to generate their electricity bill, giving them direct oversight of their consumption and eliminating disputes over incorrect readings.
Power Minister Awais Leghari kept on explaining that this initiative is the huge part of broader reforms to address consumer complaints and ensure fair billing. He said the app will especially help subsidy-eligible consumers by preventing inflated bills that push them out of the subsidy net.
How It Works
The process is not complicated and consumer-friendly:
• Step 1: Firstly, you need to go to Play Store and then download it
• Step 2: Register with your consumer reference number and personal details.
• Step 3: On the notified reading date, open the app and snap a clear photo of your electricity meter.
• Step 4: Submit the reading through the app.
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If both the consumer and the meter reader submit readings, the lower of the two will be accepted to avoid overbilling. Moreover, if the consumer submits their reading on time, any later reading by a DISCO meter reader will be disregarded.
Available in Five Languages
To ensure accessibility for all Pakistanis, the app supports five languages. This makes it easier for users in different regions to understand and use the app without language barriers.
Nationwide Rollout and Additional Measures
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed power distribution companies (DISCOs) nationwide to implement the new system immediately. Alongside this initiative, he also announced the abolition of the Rs. 35 PTV fee from electricity bills, offering some financial relief to consumers.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the reforms are highly needed in the power sector, noting that Pakistan loses over Rs. 500 billion on yearly basis due to power theft.
Some of the reforms that are going on are restructuring DISCO boards, ensuring merit-based appointments, and addressing the circular debt crisis.
Expected Impact
This app is expected to:
• Reduce billing disputes and improve trust between consumers and power companies.
• Empower consumers to take charge of their usage and bills.
• Help target subsidies more effectively by ensuring accurate usage data.
• Cut costs for distribution companies by streamlining meter reading operations.
All-inclusively, “Apna Meter, Apni Reading” is considered to be a major step toward a fairer, more transparent power sector, which is intended to ease the burden on consumers while tackling systemic challenges.