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ISLAMABAD: Over one million electricity consumers are actively using a mobile app launched by the government in June that allows people to record and submit their power meter readings themselves for billing, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported on Thursday. 

Pakistan’s government launched the Power Smart App under the government’s “Apna Meter, Apni Reading” (Your Meter, Your Reading) slogan on June 29. The initiative allows consumers to take pictures of the readings of their power meters on a specified date, upload the image to the app, and based on the picture, their monthly bill will be generated. 

The initiative was taken by the government to address customers’ concerns, who have frequently accused meter readers of overbilling them or taking incorrect readings. 

“The uptake of this digital tool has been remarkable, with more than one million electricity consumers nationwide actively using the Power Smart app,” the APP said.

“This significant adoption demonstrates increasing public trust in digital governance and a strengthened relationship between consumers and utility services.”

As per the energy ministry’s spokesperson, Pakistan’s electricity sector reported losses of Rs591 billion [$2.07 billion] in June 2024. However, due to several reforms, including the self meter reading initiative, these losses have been cut by Rs191 billion [$668.5 million] within the year.

Pakistan’s Power Division said in June that the self meter reading method will prove beneficial for consumers eligible for power subsidies. 

“For example, a consumer using up to 200 units typically receives a bill of around Rs2,330 but crossing just one additional unit results in the loss of subsidy, raising the bill to around Rs8,104,” the Power Division had said.

“Through this app, it will be ensured that eligible consumers can timely submit readings and continue to benefit from subsidies.”

Pakistan has aggressively pursued reforms in its energy sector recently, which has long struggled with financial strain due to circular debt, power theft and transmission losses. These problems have led to blackouts and high electricity costs throughout the country, especially during the summers when demand peaks. 

KARACHI: Pakistan Refinery Limited will import its first cargo of Nigerian Bonny Light crude from Vitol in September, two sources familiar with the matter said, as Asian refiners shift toward cheaper alternatives to Middle Eastern oil.

The 500,000-barrel, light-sweet crude cargo is expected to load later this month and arrive in Karachi by late September, the sources said, declining to be named as the information is not yet public.

The price was not immediately known.

Vitol and PRL did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The purchase follows Pakistan’s first deal to import US crude, also supplied by Vitol, by Cnergyico, which is scheduled to arrive in October.

Almost all of Pakistan’s crude imports are sourced from the Middle East, primarily ������Ƶ and the United Arab Emirates.

However, along with other Asian refiners, Pakistan’s industry has shown increased interest in recent months in supplies from elsewhere, including US West Texas Intermediate and Kazakh CPC Blend, after Middle Eastern supplies became more expensive.

As early as 2014, Pakistan imported a Nigerian Yoho crude, according to data from Kpler, but the Bonny Light purchase is the country’s first known purchase of Bonny Light, which is valued for its high yields of gasoline and diesel.

Oil is Pakistan’s largest import item, with crude and petroleum products of $11.3 billion in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025 representing nearly a fifth of the country’s total import bill.