Retailers protest about inflated electricity bills countrywide.

ISLAMABAD -- Commercial consumers across the country have risen in protest at the latest Sales Tax that has been billed to them via their electricity dues. The recent charge for taxes is in line with the Government of Pakistan's measures to increase and expand its revenue base in the current fiscal year and reduce the big and fat current account deficit.

The new taxes are in line with the prior actions and commitments for GOP to secure the urgently needed bailout package. These changes were made in the Finance Act of 2022 where a fixed tax rate was implemented. While this was being implemented across Pakistan, the first utility to announce it to customers was K-Electric via a post on its social media channels, which instead drew negative attention as they were perceived that it was the only DISCO doing so.

The issue however is a nationwide problem and social media has seen a flurry of users posting about the latest surcharge under the head of Sales Tax/ Retailers Sales Tax in their electricity bills. Quite a few are annoyed with the sudden swell in their electricity bills with many posting in popular groups like Voice of Customer that has over 330,000 members from across the country. Others have tagged their respective DISCO, some with snarky comments while others are directly asking if they need to register with FBR with GEPCO in particular replying with, 'Dear of course.'

A customer from Islamabad named...