PESHAWAR: Apna Meter, Apni Reading- Starting this month, electricity users across Pakistan have a new way to push back against inflated bills — and it fits in the palm of their hand.
The Ministry of Power and Energy has launched a feature under the slogan Apna Meter, Apni Reading, giving consumers the power to upload their own electricity meter reading through the Power Smart app. And for many low-usage households, the difference could be thousands of rupees.
So, how does it work?
Each month, on a designated day, consumers can submit a photo of their electricity meter. If it’s done on time, their reading will override the one collected by power company staff — the same staff often accused of making errors or giving estimated readings.
And in a billing system where going even one unit over 200 can cost you your subsidy, the stakes are high.
Under the government’s slab structure, users consuming up to 200 units pay around 2,330 rupees. But crossing that threshold — even by a single unit — can push the bill to 8,104 rupees (29.04 US dollars), eliminating the subsidy and multiplying the charges.
That’s where Apna Meter, Apni Reading comes in.
The Energy Ministry says timely submissions could help eligible households save up to 6,000 rupees (21.42 US dollars). The move is also meant to cut reliance on manual meter readings, which have been a long-standing source of billing disputes, subsidy losses, and overcharging.
But there’s more to it.
Officials claim the feature will reduce administrative load on power distribution companies, improve accuracy, and allow consumers to hold the system accountable — with photographic proof.
Still, the big question remains: will users adopt the app in time — and will the system actually honour those self-readings?
For now, Apna Meter, Apni Reading offers something new in Pakistan’s power sector — a way for the consumer to speak first, and the state to listen later.
