How to Get a New Electricity Connection in Pakistan

Getting a new electricity connection in Pakistan is a formal process that every distribution company (DISCO) follows under NEPRA's Service Quality Standards. The process is now partly digitized through the ENC (Electricity Now Connect) portal for many DISCOs, but physical documentation and a site visit are still part of every new connection. Knowing what to expect — and what to bring — prevents the weeks of delay that catch most first-time applicants off guard.

This guide covers the complete application process: what documents you need, how the form is submitted, what the DISCO surveys and approves, what connection costs are involved, and how long the whole process typically takes.

Types of New Connections Available

Before applying, identify which type of connection your premises needs — this determines the tariff category, meter type, and sanctioned load:

• Domestic (A-1) — single-phase, 230V, for homes and apartments. Most common type.
• Domestic (A-2) — three-phase, for larger homes requiring more than 5 kW sanctioned load.
• Commercial (B category) — for shops, offices, restaurants, hotels. Single or three-phase depending on load.
• Industrial (C/D category) — for factories, heavy manufacturing, or large facilities requiring high-voltage connections.
• Agricultural — for tube wells, irrigation pumps, and farm equipment.
• Prepaid meter — available in select areas from DISCOs piloting the token/smart prepaid system.

Documents Required for a New Connection

The exact document list varies slightly by DISCO but the following are required by all of them. Prepare copies and bring originals for verification:

• CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card) of the applicant — the primary owner or tenant submitting the application
• Proof of property ownership: registered title deed, allotment letter, or property tax receipt in the applicant's name
• If renting: tenancy agreement (lease contract) plus the property owner's CNIC copy and NOC letter
• Site plan or sketch showing the location of the proposed meter on the premises
• Details of the electrical wiring completed inside the property (wiring completion certificate from a licensed electrical contractor, in some DISCOs)
• Load schedule: list of major appliances and their wattage to estimate sanctioned load
• In some areas: no-objection certificate (NOC) from the local development authority or housing society

The Application Process — Step by Step

Follow these steps to submit a new connection application. The process is similar across all DISCOs; ENC-enabled DISCOs may allow online submission for step 1:

• Visit your local DISCO Subdivision Office (SDO) or submit the application through the ENC online portal if your DISCO offers it
• Collect and fill the new connection application form (Form SC-1 for domestic, or equivalent for commercial/industrial)
• Submit the completed form with all required documents and pay the application processing fee
• Receive an acknowledgment slip or application reference number — keep this for tracking
• A DISCO site survey team visits the premises to assess the technical feasibility (distance from nearest feeder, transformer capacity, wiring status)
• The DISCO issues a demand notice specifying the connection fee, transformer contribution (if required), and any other charges
• Pay the demand notice within the validity period (typically 30–60 days)
• The DISCO installs the meter and connection hardware; you receive your consumer reference number on your first bill

ENC Online Portal — Apply Without Visiting an Office

Several major DISCOs including MEPCO, LESCO, FESCO, IESCO, and GEPCO have implemented the ENC (Electricity Now Connect) portal, which allows you to submit a new connection application online without an initial office visit. The portal is accessible through the DISCO's official website under the 'New Connection' or 'ENC Services' section.

Through ENC, you fill the online application form, upload scanned copies of your documents, and submit your load schedule. The system assigns a tracking number and you can monitor your application status online. The DISCO will still conduct a physical site survey before approving the connection — the portal simply eliminates the initial paperwork trip to the SDO office.

CheckBills.net also provides links to the ENC tracking facility for several DISCOs so you can monitor your application progress from one place.

Connection Fees and What They Cover

New electricity connection fees are set by NEPRA under its Service Quality Standards and include several components. The exact amounts depend on your DISCO, distance from the nearest distribution transformer, and your sanctioned load:

• Service line charges: cost of the cable from the distribution pole to your meter, based on distance and conductor size
• Meter and equipment cost: the price of the meter itself (may be included in service charges or billed separately)
• Application processing fee: a flat administrative fee paid when submitting the form
• Transformer contribution: if a new or upgraded transformer is needed for your area, you may contribute to its cost
• Security deposit: a refundable deposit equivalent to two to three months of estimated bill, held by the DISCO
• Additional civil works: trenching, conduit, or indoor wiring upgrades if required by the site survey

How Long Does It Take?

Under NEPRA's Service Quality Standards, DISCOs are required to complete new connections within specific timeframes after you pay the demand notice. For domestic low-tension connections in areas with existing infrastructure, this is typically 7–14 working days. For connections requiring new transformer installation, feeder extension, or three-phase supply, timelines extend to 30–60 days.

In practice, timelines vary significantly by DISCO, area, and workload. Urban areas with existing dense infrastructure are usually faster. New housing schemes and areas at the edge of the distribution network take longer because infrastructure investment is needed.

If your connection is delayed beyond the NEPRA-mandated timeframe after you have paid, you have the right to file a complaint with your DISCO and, if unresolved, with NEPRA. Keep your payment receipt and demand notice as proof of the payment date.

Common Reasons for Delays or Rejection

Most new connection delays are avoidable if you prepare correctly. The most common issues are:

• Incomplete or mismatched documents — CNIC name not matching the property ownership documents
• Property ownership proof is in a different name — requires an NOC or ownership transfer documentation
• Unapproved construction — property built without local authority approval may not qualify for a regular DISCO connection
• Overloaded local transformer — your area's existing transformer has no capacity for additional load; requires transformer upgrade
• Inside wiring not completed or not certified — some DISCOs require an electrical completion certificate before they install the meter
• Incorrect load schedule — underestimating your load may lead to a meter that trips frequently; overestimating increases fees
• Outstanding dues on a previous connection at the same address — must be cleared first

After Connection: Your First Bill and Reference Number

After the meter is installed and energized, your first electricity bill will be generated at the end of the first billing cycle — typically within 30 days. The bill will show your consumer name, the address, your meter number, and your reference number (10–14 digits), which is the identifier you will use to check bills online, make payments, and file complaints for the life of the connection.

Save your reference number somewhere accessible — your phone contacts, a notes app, or a photograph of the first bill. It remains the same unless you formally transfer the connection or a meter replacement changes it. From the moment your meter is installed, you can use CheckBills.net to view and print duplicate bills using this reference number.