Have you wondered how to pay utility bills without hassle? well you just need to sit back and read this post where you will get to know about all the options available in Pakistan to pay utility bills.
Generally, we pay three type of utility bills every month. They include electricity, water & sewerage and gas. In Pakistan billing period for most of utility bills is on monthly basis. If you are unable to pay the bill timely, the company slaps a fine for late payment. To avoid this penalty, most of the people tend to rush to nearest commercial bank branch to pay the utility bills. However, they encounter rush and long waiting for their turn at the branch to pay the bill. Additionally, reaching a bank branch incurs shoe leather cost in case the branch is not located on walking distance.
Little do most of the people know that almost all the commercial banks have provided facilities for public to pay utility bills through various alternate delivery channels such as ATMs, Internet Banking, and Phone Banking etc.
Here we have summarized all the available options for bill payment:
Pay Utility Bills in Cash
If you want to pay utility bills in cash, you can visit a branch of commercial bank or office of Pakistan Post. The teller will collect equivalent cash and return the tear off part of the bill after affixing a stamp.
Around 16,000 bank branches and 3000 Pakistan post offices across the country are providing this facility. However, this options is only available during the working days and working hours of the branch and post office. In case you forgot to pay the bill and you look for payment of bill on Sunday you won’t be able to get it done through this option.
You can also pay bills in cash at around 190,000 active branchless banking agents across Pakistan. They offer service throughout the week and extended daily hours as compared to banks and post office.
Another option for bill payment through cash is NADRA e-Sahulat franchise. E-Sahulat accepts all major utility bills. Their services are available 24/7 and customers can pay their bills at any time of the day or night, 7 days a week. You just need to visit nearest e-Sahulat franchise with utility bill and the cash equivalent to bill(s) amount.
Pay Utility Bills through Alternate Delivery Channels (ADCs)
All the commercial banks in Pakistan have now commenced options for public to pay utility bills through Alternate Delivery Channels (ADCs). Payment of utility bills through ADCs is convenient, effortless, secure, 24/7 accessibility and time saving. To avail these facilities you have to be account holder of a bank.
Below are the various options available to account holders to pay bills using ADCs.
Automated Teller Machines (ATMs)
You can simply visit nearest ATM of your bank. Insert your ATM / Debit card in the ATM. Enter your security code / PIN then select utility bill payment option. Select billing company and enter consumer number. Process the transaction after confirming the details. You will get transaction receipt and a confirmation SMS if SMS service is activated on your account.
There are around 15,000 ATMs across Pakistan where you can pay utility bills.
Internet banking / Mobile applications
According to my assessment, this is the easiest way to pay your bill. It is convenient that you can just sit on a couch and pay bills while watching a premier league derby match between Man United and Man City.
Log in to your bank`s internet banking account or mobile application. Go to the utility bill section, select the utility company and enter the customer / account number mentioned in your bill. You will see the billed amount and customer details. Confirm the billed amount and pay. Keep a screenshot of the transaction receipt in your mobile phone or computer system. Conformation will be received over registered e-mail and SMS.
You can also add the utility bill payee / beneficiary in your payments list and pay bill without entering customer/account number every time.
Phone banking
Multiple banks are offering bill payment facility through Phone Banking. You have to call the helpline of the bank. Confirm the details and amount to the phone banking officer. receive confirmation on your mobile phone after Bill is paid. You need to have an active debit card for availing this facility.
Personally, I have not used this facility and is not on my list because you have to wait over phone for quite some time to connect with the phone banking officer. You are also depended upon someone else to pay bills for you.
SMS banking
If you don`t have a smart phone there is an option for you as well without calling the bank`s helpline. You can pay utility bills through SMS banking just through sending a SMS. The option doesn’t not require any internet connectivity.
Credit Cards
Credit card is another option to pay utility bills. The process is similar to the process mentioned above in the internet banking section.
If you need assistance in choosing credit card, click here.
Pay Utility Bills through Mobile wallet Accounts
In case you don’t have a bank account you won’t be able to the avail the above mentioned facilities. However, you don’t need to worry because there is another convenient option for you. Using Mobile wallet Accounts such as easy paisa, UBL Omni, Jazz cash etc. you can pay almost all the utilities bills.
Log into their mobile application, select utility bill type and company. Enter account or customer number. Conform the amount and pay.
You can easily open a mobile wallet account without submitting long list of documents that are required for opening a formal bank account.
