ISLAMABAD: National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has allowed payment of fees for various regulatory services through digital means, replacing the earlier requirement of payments solely through banking instruments.
In this regard, NEPRA has issued three Statutory Regulatory Orders (SROs) — 861, 862 and 863 — aimed at facilitating government companies, private sector entities, and individuals.
According to SROs 861 and 862, “digital means” refers to a wide range of digital payments and financial services. These include, inter alia, online portals or platforms for payments and receipts; online interbank fund transfer services; online bill or invoice presentment and payment systems; over-the-counter digital payment facilities; and card-based payments using point-of-sale (POS) terminals, QR codes, mobile devices, ATMs, kiosks, or any other digital payment-enabled devices. The definition also covers any other digital or online modes of payment.
Under the amendments, in Schedule I, the words “A [Bank Draft/Pay Order] in the sum of Rupees ( )” have been substituted with “Proof of payment in the sum of Rupees ( ), paid through, inter alia, pay order, bank draft or digital means.”
SRO 863 introduces amendments to relevant regulations. In Regulation 9, the phrase “in the form of bank draft” has been replaced with “paid through, inter alia, pay order, bank draft or digital means.”
Furthermore, Clause 10 of Form C in the Schedule has been revised to read: “Proof of Payment: Proof of payment of appeal filing fee, paid through, inter alia, pay order, bank draft or digital means, is to be attached.”
In addition, Clause (xvii) of Form D has also been amended, replacing the words “in the form of bank draft” with “paid through, inter alia, pay order, bank draft or digital means.”
The move is expected to streamline payment processes and promote ease of doing business by enabling faster and more convenient fee submission through digital channels.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026