April 7, 2025 — In a major relief for millions of electricity consumers, the federal government is moving to eliminate the Rs. 35 monthly PTV fee currently charged through electricity bills. A formal proposal has been finalized and is expected to be presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a high-level meeting next week.
The Rs. 35 surcharge, collected by the Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV), is currently applied to all categories of electricity users—domestic, commercial, and industrial. With around 42.6 million consumers contributing to the charge, PTV receives approximately Rs. 1.5 billion every month from this fee alone.
The government’s decision comes amid growing public pressure to remove outdated or unnecessary levies from utility bills. Officials say the move is part of a broader effort to eliminate unjustified charges and bring greater transparency to electricity billing practices.
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PTV, a state-run broadcaster, operates nine channels and employs more than 6,000 people nationwide. The network has long relied on this surcharge as a core funding source. However, the proposal to abolish the fee suggests a shift in how public broadcasters may be financed in the future—potentially pushing PTV toward alternative revenue models or increased government subsidies.
Government insiders confirm that authorities are serious about lightening the financial burden on citizens, particularly in the wake of high inflation and economic uncertainty.
If approved, the removal of the PTV surcharge could take effect within the next few billing cycles, offering welcome relief to both households and businesses.
iPhone Prices in Pakistan May Triple Due to Trump’s Tariffs
The cost of a made-in-USA iPhone could skyrocket to $3,500 (over PKR 1 million) if President Donald Trump’s latest round of trade tariffs is implemented, warns Wall Street tech analyst Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities.
In a stark advisory to investors, Ives described Trump’s tariff-heavy push to bring back U.S. manufacturing as an “economic Armageddon” for the tech industry, predicting devastating consequences for electronics prices, innovation, and global supply chains.
The proposed tariffs include a 50% levy on Chinese imports and 32% on goods from Taiwan — two countries critical to the global electronics and semiconductor industries. According to Ives, this move could trigger a 40–50% spike in tech product prices, sending flagship devices like the iPhone into unaffordable territory.
