Pakistani families struggle to pay electricity bills that can take up entire pay cheque

Hundreds of people took to the streets of Karachi to protest against soaring utility costs in Pakistan. Families saw a sharp jump in their electricity bills in August 2023 due to higher tariffs and increased tax, as Pakistan battles high inflation after securing a US$3 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund. Electricity bills can take up an entire month's paycheck for some families, making them unaffordable for some households.