Solar net metering backlog of 1,355 cases triggers a final government warning as distribution companies face disciplinary action over prolonged delays
Pakistan’s Power Division has had enough. It ordered electricity distribution companies to clear 1,355 pending solar net metering applications within 10 days. The solar net metering backlog includes cases submitted before February 8. Some applicants have waited more than six months without a response. Moreover, the Power Division set a hard deadline of June 1 for all remaining connections to go live.
The delays drew serious official concern. Data from PITC and the 118 consumer complaint portal revealed a significant backlog across multiple distribution companies. Furthermore, complaint resolution for power outages also exceeded NEPRA’s prescribed rules. Therefore, the problem goes beyond net metering alone. It reflects a broader failure in service delivery across the entire distribution network.
Technical issues also contributed to the pile-up. Transformer tagging problems produced incorrect sanctioned load calculations. Those errors then triggered rejections of valid net metering and billing cases. The Power Division instructed companies to fix these faults alongside clearing the application backlog. Therefore, officials must tackle both administrative and technical failures at the same time.
The consequences for non-compliance are real. The Power Division plans disciplinary action against the worst-performing superintending engineers, executive engineers, and sub-divisional officers. Additionally, officials responsible for unnecessary delays may lose their performance bonuses. Therefore, this directive carries genuine accountability, not just another warning.
Pakistan’s solar sector has grown rapidly in recent years. Thousands of households have invested in rooftop solar systems. However, prolonged delays in net metering approvals undermine that momentum. They also erode trust in the regulatory system. Finally, the 10-day ultimatum signals that solar applicants who waited months may soon get the connections they deserve.
