Govt Launches ‘Roshan Pankha’ Program to Cut Electricity Bills by Rs. 12,000 per Fan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday launched the “Roshan Pankha, Roshan Pakistan” program to replace 10 million old and inefficient fans with energy-saving models to reduce electricity bills by up to Rs. 12,000 per fan.

The launch ceremony was attended by Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Leghari, Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadik Malik, and Managing Director NEECA Dr. Sardar Moazzam Humayun Khan, who briefed participants on the scope and implementation of the program.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr. Musadik Malik said this initiative would benefit low-income households struggling with high electricity bills. He said the program is expected to begin within 90 days and is aligned with the government’s policy of providing relief to the poor.

He noted that high electricity bills and recurring floods have placed a heavy burden on citizens, particularly during the summer season. Referring to recent climate-related disasters, he said floods over the past four to five years had claimed around 6,000 lives, affected 40 million people, and displaced nearly two million children. He added that economic losses from floods have reached nearly 9.8 percent of GDP.

Malik said the fan replacement program would help reduce electricity consumption and could save consumers up to Rs. 12,000 per fan in electricity costs. He added that lowering power bills would also support economic activity and enable businesses to operate in more shifts.

Energy Minister Sardar Awais Leghari said the initiative would contribute to long-term structural reforms in the power sector. He noted that electricity demand has declined due to rapid solarization, as high tariffs in the past pushed consumers toward alternative energy sources. Currently, national electricity demand stands at around 8,000 megawatts, he added.

Leghari claimed that electricity prices have declined by 20 percent overall, with tariffs for protected consumers reduced by 35 to 40 percent. He added that industrial electricity tariffs have dropped by 35 percent over the past two years to 11.5 cents per unit and may be rationalized further.

The energy minister said the government aims to achieve 90 percent clean energy generation by 2034. He also indicated that solar tariffs would be gradually rationalized and that the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) would rehear related matters.

Under the program, consumers will have the option to replace or sell their old fans. Leghari said the initiative would reduce pressure on the national grid, eliminate the need for new power plants, and help address capacity payments. Even existing plants would be sufficient to meet demand for the next 25 to 30 years, he added.