Islamabad: Pakistan is set to significantly expand electricity access during the 2026-27 fiscal year, with government-owned power distribution companies (DISCOs) planning to electrify 15,327 villages and provide 1,689,849 new electricity connections across the country.
According to Beyond Time News, the expansion is part of the federal government’s broader strategy to improve energy access, strengthen the national distribution network, and bring reliable electricity to underserved communities. The initiative is also aligned with Pakistan’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, which seeks to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
Rural Electrification Tops the Government’s Agenda
The latest distribution sector plan places strong emphasis on extending electricity infrastructure to rural areas where many communities continue to face limited or unreliable access to the national grid.
Government documents indicate that the electrification drive aims to improve living standards, support economic activity, and reduce disparities between urban and rural regions.
Among the country’s power distribution companies, Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO) has been assigned the largest village electrification target, with plans to connect 8,876 villages during FY2026-27.
Other distribution companies have also been given ambitious goals:
- Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO): 2,798 villages
- Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO): 1,104 villages
- Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO): 1,050 villages
- Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO): 825 villages
- Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO): 300 villages
- Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO): 280 villages
- Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO): 50 villages
- Hazara Electric Supply Company (HAZECO): 40 villages
- Tribal Areas Electric Supply Company (TESCO): Four villages
The plan does not assign a village electrification target to Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO) for the upcoming fiscal year.
Nearly 1.69 Million New Consumers to Join the Grid
Alongside village electrification, the government plans to substantially expand the customer base of electricity distribution companies by adding almost 1.69 million new consumers.
According to Beyond Time News, Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has received the highest target with 453,000 new consumer connections.
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The remaining consumer targets include:
- GEPCO: 351,638 new consumers
- FESCO: 296,000
- MEPCO: 250,000
- IESCO: 195,000
- PESCO: 77,489
- QESCO: 22,617
- HAZECO: 21,500
- HESCO: 13,766
- SEPCO: 7,253
- TESCO: 1,586
Expanding the customer base is expected to improve electricity availability for households, businesses, educational institutions, and public facilities, particularly in developing areas.
Major Upgrades Planned for the Distribution Network
To support the growing number of consumers, the government also plans to strengthen Pakistan’s electricity distribution infrastructure.
The development plan includes:
- Construction of 799.5 kilometers of 132-kilovolt (kV) transmission lines
- Addition of 2,087 megavolt-amperes (MVA) of 132kV grid capacity
- Installation of 1,321.15 MVA of 11kV distribution capacity
- Expansion of 4,134 kilometers of 11kV distribution lines
- Installation of 1,742 kilometers of 400-volt low-voltage distribution lines
These upgrades are intended to improve the reliability of electricity supply, reduce network congestion, and accommodate increasing demand from residential, commercial, and industrial consumers.
Why Expanding Electricity Access Matters
Reliable electricity remains one of the most important drivers of economic development. Access to power enables businesses to operate efficiently, improves educational opportunities through digital learning, strengthens healthcare services, and supports agricultural productivity by powering irrigation systems and storage facilities.
For rural communities, electrification often leads to improved quality of life by increasing access to communication technologies, clean water systems, refrigeration, and small-scale industries that generate employment.
The initiative also supports Pakistan’s long-term development agenda by contributing to SDG Indicator 7.1.1, which measures the proportion of the population with access to electricity.
Challenges Ahead
Although the expansion plan is ambitious, experts note that successful implementation will depend on timely funding, efficient project execution, and continued investment in maintaining the distribution network.
Pakistan’s power sector continues to face challenges, including transmission losses, electricity theft, aging infrastructure, and financial pressures on distribution companies. Addressing these issues alongside network expansion will be essential to ensuring reliable and sustainable electricity services.
Improved governance, modern grid technologies, and stronger operational performance could help maximize the benefits of the planned investments.
Conclusion
Pakistan’s plan to electrify more than 15,000 villages and connect nearly 1.69 million new electricity consumers during FY2026-27 represents one of the country’s most significant rural electrification efforts in recent years.
If implemented successfully, the initiative could improve access to essential services, stimulate local economies, and strengthen the national power system. Combined with planned upgrades to transmission and distribution infrastructure, the expansion has the potential to bring long-term social and economic benefits to millions of Pakistanis while advancing the country’s energy access goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many villages will Pakistan electrify in FY2026-27?
The government plans to electrify 15,327 villages through various electricity distribution companies during the 2026-27 fiscal year.
How many new electricity consumers are expected to be added?
Pakistan’s distribution companies aim to provide 1,689,849 new electricity connections across the country.
Which power company has the highest village electrification target?
Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO) has the largest target, with plans to electrify 8,876 villages.
What infrastructure improvements are included in the plan?
The government plans to add new transmission lines, expand grid capacity, strengthen distribution networks, and install thousands of kilometers of additional power lines.
Why is rural electrification important?
Rural electrification improves living standards, supports economic growth, enhances education and healthcare services, and helps reduce development gaps between urban and rural communities.
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