Govt Approves Rs. 10.8 Billion Package to Waive Power Bills for Flood Victims 2025

In a landmark decision, the Government of Pakistan has approved a Rs. 10.8 billion relief package to waive electricity bills for flood-affected families across the country. This initiative is aimed at reducing the financial burden on households devastated by the 2025 floods.

Relief Package Overview

The waiver will apply to registered flood victims in both rural and urban areas. Instead of forcing families to pay bills when they are already struggling to rebuild homes and livelihoods, the government will directly compensate electricity distribution companies (DISCOs).

Key Feature	Details
Total Allocation	Rs. 10.8 Billion
Beneficiaries	Verified flood-affected households
Relief Type	Waiver of electricity bills
Verification	Through NADRA-linked CNIC and utility meters
Implementation	Power distribution companies (DISCOs)

Why This Step Was Needed

The 2025 floods destroyed:

Thousands of acres of crops.
Entire villages and homes.
Livelihoods of daily wage workers and farmers.

With inflation already high, electricity bills became impossible to pay for many families. The waiver ensures victims can spend their limited resources on food, medicine, and rebuilding.

Selection Criteria

The Ministry of Energy announced that only verified flood victims will benefit. A digital system is being developed to prevent fraud and ensure transparency. Families will be identified through:

NADRA records.
National flood survey data.
Utility meter verification in affected districts.

Voices from Citizens

Flood survivors welcomed the decision. One resident from Sindh said:
“We lost our home and fields. The government’s decision to waive bills gives us some breathing space.”

Wider Impact

Experts say the package will:

Provide immediate relief to poor families.
Prevent disconnections due to non-payment.
Build trust between citizens and government.

However, they also caution that Pakistan needs to invest in climate resilience to avoid similar disasters in the future.

Future Plans

The government hinted at additional relief efforts:

Cash assistance for farmers.
Housing support for displaced families.
Infrastructure projects to strengthen flood defenses.

Conclusion

The Rs. 10.8 billion electricity bill waiver marks a critical step in helping flood victims recover. While it cannot undo the devastation, it offers hope and immediate financial relief to thousands of struggling families. This initiative also highlights the urgent need for long-term strategies to combat climate change and protect vulnerable communities.