Pakistan is set to offer industrial consumers very cheapelectricity rates as it prepares to launch its first deregulated power market next month, a major step toward fulfilling another International Monetary Fund (IMF) condition.

The market is expected to go live in March 2026, initially auctioning 200 MW of electricity. It will focus on B3 and B4 industrial users, with capacity charges in this segment completely eliminated.

Independent market operators have been established to oversee electricity trading. At launch, power will be available to large consumers with a minimum demand of 1 MW, with overall supply projected to reach 800 MW over the next four years.

Consumers will pay only installation fees to electricity companies, while distribution companies (Discos) will be compensated for grid usage. Unit rates are set at Rs 6 for B3 and Rs 9 for B4, allowing industries to access the cheapest electricity ever offered in the country.