Multiple Electricity Meters

In a lot of households across Pakistan—especially in joint family systems—it’s pretty common to see more than one electricity meter installed at the same address. Some do it for convenience, others to manage bills in shared spaces. But lately, this practice has come under the spotlight.

Why Do People Install More Than One Electricity Meter?

Sometimes a house has multiple portions—one for parents, one for married sons, maybe a basement portion rented out. In such cases, people apply for separate meters to keep electricity usage and billing separate. Makes sense, right?

But not everyone is playing fair. Some folks try to bypass higher unit charges by spreading their usage across two or three meters, especially in areas where slab-wise billing makes a big difference. That’s where the issue starts.

How to Register as a Consumer Properly

If you’re applying for an electricity meter—whether it’s your first or a second—you need to be properly registered.

You fill out a new connection form at your local electricity provider (like LESCO, KE, MEPCO, etc.)
Submit property ownership documents or rent agreement
Provide your CNIC copy
In some cases, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the property owner is required

The utility company will send a team to inspect the premises, and if all’s good, you’ll get your meter. But here’s the catch: if the same name and same CNIC are being used for multiple meters at the same property—it raises red flags.

Complaints & Record Misuse:

Lately, there’s been a rise in complaints that people are misusing multiple meters to take unfair advantage of low electricity slabs or government subsidies. Some are even renting out portions of their homes and passing on bills to tenants without any official record.

This misuse messes up the system—and hurts those who really need relief the most.

In some areas, duplicate records and fake meter registrations have also come to light. People have meters running under names of deceased relatives or someone else entirely. It’s shady, and it’s being noticed.

What Does the Law Say About Second Meters?

Legally, you can apply for a second or even third electricity meter if the property is physically divided (like a separate entrance, kitchen, bathroom, etc.). But it must be properly documented.

WAPDA and DISCOs (Distribution Companies) usually follow NEPRA guidelines. These say that:

Multiple meters must not be used to manipulate billing slabs
Each unit or portion must be independent, like a separate flat
The application must clearly justify the need for another meter

If any misrepresentation is found during inspection, the application can be rejected or even penalized.

Action Against Misuse – Yes, It’s Happening

Utility companies have started cracking down on misuse.

Some common actions include:

Heavy fines for those found manipulating usage
Disconnection of duplicate or illegally obtained meters
Legal action under electricity theft laws

Also, if you’ve been caught using multiple meters in a way that reduces your actual bill dishonestly, you might have to pay back-charges for the misused units.

Why This All Matters

When some people play the system, the burden falls on honest consumers. The government offers slab-based relief and subsidies to those who genuinely fall under low usage. But if wealthier households or landlords are dodging the system, the ones who really need help suffer.

Conclusion:

If you truly need a second meter because your home is split into independent units—go ahead and apply, the legal way. Just make sure your records are clean, your documents are in place, and you’re not bending the rules