For decades, Pakistani electricity bills included a TV fee (PTV licence fee) of Rs 35 per month. The fee funded Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) and was collected through electricity bills for convenience. In 2025, the government announced that the PTV fee would be removed from electricity bills.
What the TV fee was
- A monthly licence fee for television, collected through electricity bills.
- Charged to most residential and commercial consumers, regardless of whether they owned a television.
- Collected by DISCOs and passed on to PTV.
Because it was charged per connection, households with more than one meter often paid it more than once — a common complaint.
The 2025 decision
In 2025 Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the PTV fee would be abolished from electricity bills. Later in 2025, the government approved a subsidy for PTV to make up for the lost income. As a result, new electricity bills should no longer include the TV fee.
What if you still see it?
- Check whether the line relates to an earlier billing month or arrears.
- Ask your DISCO sub-division for an explanation and correction.
- Keep a copy of your bill and the response.
Why it mattered
Rs 35 a month may seem small, but for millions of consumers it added up to a large amount each year and was criticised as unfair to those without a television. Removing it simplified bills and gave small relief.
Other charges you may see instead
Your bill still includes:
- Cost of electricity (units × rate)
- Fixed charges, if applicable
- FPA and QTA adjustments
- GST and, for some businesses, income tax, further tax or extra tax
- Arrears and late payment surcharge, if applicable
Read our guides on GST, FPA and QTA to understand these lines.