‘Apna Metre, Apni Reading’ app launched to address power theft, billing inaccuracies 

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has launched a mobile application aimed at increasing transparency in electricity billing and reducing overcharging, in a move Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described as a major reform for consumer empowerment.

The app, “Apna Metre, Apni Reading” (My Metre, My Reading), was developed by the Power Division and officially launched on Sunday. It allows consumers to submit their own monthly electricity readings by uploading a photo of their metre via the app. The reading submitted by the user will then be used to generate the bill, helping reduce reliance on field staff and minimising errors.

Power Minister Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari said the new system seeks to address long-standing issues such as overbilling, delays, and lack of transparency in existing metre reading process.

In cases where both a consumer and a metre reader submit readings, the lower figure will be used to determine the bill, providing financial protection to consumers.

If a user uploads their reading on the assigned date, it will override any subsequent reading recorded by the distribution company staff, the Power Division clarified. The app is expected to especially benefit low-income users eligible for government subsidies by ensuring timely submission of readings and preventing errors that could lead to loss of benefits. 

Speaking at the launch event, Sharif called the application a “revolutionary” step in governance and technology. The app, which is available in five languages, is intended to improve coordination across provinces and promote inclusivity. 

The prime minister also reiterated the government’s broader efforts to reform the power sector, including steps to curb electricity theft, which reportedly causes losses of around Rs500 billion annually, and to resolve the issue of circular debt through bank negotiations. 

In another relief measure, Sharif announced the removal of the PTV licence fee from electricity bills. He also reaffirmed the government’s support for solar energy, calling it the most affordable and fast-growing source of power globally. 

Read next: Gold inches up on weaker dollar despite fading geopolitical risks