Electricity consumers: PHC bars collection of unexplained taxes, levies

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has barred the collection of taxes and levies from electricity consumers when the charges are not properly itemized or explained on their bills.

The court was hearing a petition challenging the imposition of various taxes in electricity bills and has also issued a written order regarding the previous hearing.

In its order, the court stopped the collection of taxes from the petitioner’s electricity bill where the charges had been included without providing details.

It also clubbed other petitions of a similar nature and issued notices to the relevant parties.

According to the written order, the petitioner’s lawyer told the court that the applicant regularly pays electricity bills.

However, the August electricity bill contained additional taxes without any explanation.

The petitioner reportedly said the relevant authorities asked them to decode the barcode printed on the electricity bill.

After decoding the barcode, it was revealed that Extra Tax and Further Tax had been charged.

The petitioner maintained that these taxes had never previously been included in their electricity bills and that no clear explanation had been provided for their imposition.

The Peshawar High Court has adjourned further hearing of the petition until September 2.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026