How to Apply for a New Electricity Connection in Pakistan (ENC Guide)

Before you apply

A new electricity connection is applied for at the sub-division office covering the property's address. Which company that is follows the address, not preference — each distribution company holds an exclusive NEPRA licence for its territory.

The most consequential decision at this stage is the sanctioned load you apply for. It determines whether you get a single-phase or three-phase connection, what the demand notice will cost, and — importantly for anyone considering rooftop solar later — whether you will be eligible for net metering without a further upgrade application.

What you will need

• CNIC of the applicant.
• Proof of ownership or a tenancy agreement for the property.
• A recent bill from a neighbouring connection, which the office uses to identify the feeder and sub-division.
• The completed application form for the connection category you want — domestic, commercial, industrial or agricultural.
• A test report from a licensed electrician confirming the internal wiring meets the required standard.

How the process runs

1. 1

   Submit the application

   At the sub-division office covering the address. Get a receipt or tracking number — it is what you will reference if the application stalls.

2. 2

   Site inspection

   The company inspects the premises, verifies the wiring test report and confirms what infrastructure is needed to serve the connection.

3. 3

   Demand notice

   You receive a notice setting out the cost: security deposit, meter cost and any line or transformer work required. The amount varies enormously depending on whether the property is near existing infrastructure.

4. 4

   Pay the demand notice

   Payment is made through the designated bank rather than at the office. Keep the receipt.

5. 5

   Meter installation and energisation

   The meter is fitted and the connection energised. Your reference number is issued at this point.

6. 6

   First bill

   Expect several weeks before the first bill is generated, since it follows the normal monthly cycle rather than arriving immediately.

Under NEPRA's performance standards, distribution companies are obliged to provide the large majority of new connections within a prescribed timeframe, and the regulator publishes how each company performs against that obligation. Persistent delay beyond the standard is a legitimate basis for escalation rather than something you simply have to accept.

If it stalls

1. 1

   Ask in writing what stage it is at

   A verbal enquiry leaves no record. A written one, referencing your tracking number, does.

2. 2

   Escalate within the company

   Above the sub-division office sits the division and then the circle. Each level can be approached.

3. 3

   Pakistan Citizen Portal

   Effective for connection delays because it applies a monitored deadline that the office cannot quietly ignore.

4. 4

   NEPRA

   New connection timeframes are a performance standard the regulator enforces, which makes this a stronger complaint than it might appear.

Questions