Getting a new electricity connection in Pakistan used to be a headache — long queues, paperwork, weeks of waiting. Then came the ENC (Electricity New Connection) system, and today the process is mostly digital for IESCO consumers in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and surrounding areas. But one document remains the most important: the demand notice. This guide walks you through every step — downloading, tracking, paying, and what happens after.
Think of it as a final bill before your service actually starts. Without it, no meter. No power.
What Is an IESCO Demand Notice?
An IESCO demand notice is an official document IESCO sends after you apply for a new connection. It tells you the exact fee required before they install your meter. For the full application process leading up to this point, see our IESCO new connection guide.
Simply put: “Here is your cost estimate. Pay this, and IESCO will connect you.”
Why does IESCO issue this notice? To recover the cost of infrastructure — your new meter, wiring, transformer capacity, and safety inspections. The demand notice process begins the moment your application is approved in principle. You can’t move forward without this document (or PDF). It’s the green light.
How the Demand Notice Fits in the Connection Process
Imagine ordering a new broadband connection: you apply, the company sends a confirmation with installation charges, you pay, they come. Same logic here.
The real sequence:
- You apply online or at an office
- Your request enters the review phase
- An engineer calculates costs
- The system generates a demand notice
- You pay
- Installation happens
Without this notice, no meter ever reaches your home or business. It’s the gatekeeper.
How to Download Your IESCO Demand Notice Online
No need to visit an office. Two reliable methods:
Method 1: From the ENC Portal
- Open the official ENC portal
- Log in using your registered CNIC and password
- Find your active application (usually under “My Requests” or “Track Application”)
- Look for “View Demand Notice” or “Download PDF”
- Click, save, and print if needed
Method 2: By CNIC or Reference Number (No Login)
- Visit the online service page
- Select “Demand Notice” or “Check Status”
- Enter your CNIC or the reference number from your application receipt
- Click search — the system fetches your notice
Both methods let you download your demand notice without stepping outside.
How to Check & Track Your Demand Notice Status
After downloading, you may want to confirm the system has updated your payment or verification status.
Use the same portal — look for “Track Application” or “Payment Status,” and enter your CNIC or notice number. The screen will show:
- Issued date
- Expiry date
- Amount due
- Payment confirmation (if paid)
Some updates also arrive via SMS alerts. If you don’t receive one, check manually every 2-3 days — this saves you from silent delays.
Demand Notice Fees, Charges & Cost Breakdown
To make sense of your future monthly charges once connected, see our guide on the electricity bill slab system.
The fee typically includes:
- Meter cost (single-phase or three-phase)
- Security deposit (refundable after a few years)
- Service connection charges (labor and wiring)
- Testing and inspection fees
- GST (government tax on electricity services)
Charges vary by:
- Connection type (residential, commercial, industrial)
- Load (amps or kilowatts required)
- Area (urban vs. rural, since infrastructure differs)
For our detailed breakdown of how IESCO actually calculates these charges — including the NEPRA cost-based formula — see our IESCO new connection guide. Always verify each line item on your specific notice rather than relying on a general estimate, since actual costs depend on your material and site requirements.
How to Pay Your Demand Notice Online
Online Payment Methods
- Bank apps (HBL, UBL, Alfalah, Meezan — look for “Utility Bills” or “ENC Payment”)
- ATMs (insert card → bills payment → select IESCO → enter notice number)
- Mobile wallets (JazzCash, Easypaisa — under “Pay Bills” → “Electricity” → use reference number)
You don’t need to visit a counter for any of these.
Offline Payment Options
Prefer cash or in-person? Any bank branch with a utility bill collection service, or designated payment centers inside IESCO offices, both work.
Safest rule: use a bank app and save the confirmation screenshot. Online payments update faster than offline ones.
Demand Notice Validity & Expiry
This is where people get trapped — a demand notice doesn’t stay open forever.
The standard validity period is usually 30 to 60 days from the date of issue, though the exact number is printed on your specific notice.
Once expired, the notice becomes void — you can’t pay it, and you must request a fresh one, which may take weeks. In many cases, the system cancels your application automatically, and you lose your place in the queue.
Always check the printed date on your notice. Never ignore it.
What to Do After Your Demand Notice Is Issued
- Verify every detail — your name, CNIC, address, and load requested. Any mistake will delay your meter.
- Pay on time — mark the expiry date on your phone calendar.
- Keep the payment receipt safe — digital or physical. You’ll need it if the system doesn’t update automatically.
Don’t skip verification — it’s the fastest way to avoid downstream delays.
What Happens After Paying
Payment isn’t the end — it’s the beginning of the final phase.
Once you pay, IESCO’s internal team starts a verification process, checking payment confirmation from the bank, your application details, and technical feasibility. Then field staff visit your location to confirm the meter can be installed safely. After approval, a meter is assigned.
This process is largely automatic in the online system, but you can call your local subdivision office if nothing moves after 10 days. Once your meter is live, our IESCO peak and off-peak timing guide can help you plan usage and save money from day one.
Time Duration After Payment
Patience is needed, but not too much — expect roughly 7 to 21 working days after payment for installation. Areas with less field-team coverage may take longer.
Your timeline also depends on IESCO’s current workload and whether any site issue exists (like missing poles or needing a neighbor’s permission).
If 25 days pass with no contact, escalate to the complaint office.
Demand Notice by Connection Type
Residential: usually single-phase, lower security deposit, faster processing.
Commercial (shops, offices, clinics): three-phase meter often required, higher charges, more documentation (like business registration proof).
Industrial (factories, workshops, heavy machinery): highest load, large security deposit, a separate transformer may be needed — this process can take months.
Always select the right category when applying — a wrong choice leads to rejection.
Common Problems & Solutions
Demand notice not received: Check your spam folder first, then log into the portal manually. If still missing, visit the IESCO office with your application slip and ask them to regenerate the notice or send it via email.
Delay in issuance: Common causes include incomplete documents, unpaid previous bills at the same property, or a technical review backlog. Call the IESCO helpline and ask for the exact hold-up, then address it directly.
Incorrect charges: Compare your notice against the official tariff structure. If something looks wrong, file a written complaint rather than paying the disputed amount.
Payment not updated: Save your bank receipt and share it with IESCO’s billing department for manual reconciliation.
These cover the large majority of user frustrations with the process.
The Verification Process in Detail
Verification happens in three layers:
- Internal checking — software matches your payment against your application
- Field verification — a lineman visits your site to confirm a meter can be safely installed
- Approval stages — junior engineer approves, then senior engineer, then the meter is released
Each stage can take 2-3 days. Delays usually happen at field verification, especially if your address is hard to find or no one is home during the visit.
ENC vs. the Old Manual System
Manual system (old way): paper notice, standing in line, paying at a bank counter, bringing the receipt back, waiting for handwritten logs to update. Slow, and documents are easy to lose.
ENC system (current way): digital notice, pay from your phone, automatic updates, faster and more transparent.
If ENC is available to you, use it — manual is really only a fallback for those without internet access.
Digital Improvements in Recent Years
Recent updates to the ENC system include SMS alerts, online tracking, and multiple payment gateway options. Smart portal features let you see your application history, download past notices, and request duplicate copies without visiting an office.
Recent improvements worth knowing:
- Faster generation — many applications now see a demand notice issued within about 7 working days
- A single reference number usable across multiple banks for payment
- SMS tracking, so you get status updates without logging into the portal each time
These changes have made the process noticeably more reliable than it was even a couple of years ago, though the digital rollout is still ongoing and inconsistencies can occur.
FAQs
What is an IESCO demand notice?
It’s an official bill from IESCO stating the fee required before installing a new electricity meter, issued once your connection application is approved in principle.
How do I download my IESCO demand notice online?
Log into the ENC portal with your CNIC and password, find your application under “Track Application,” and look for a “View Demand Notice” or “Download PDF” option — or use the guest lookup with your CNIC or reference number if you don’t have login access.
How do I pay my IESCO demand notice online?
Use your bank’s mobile app, an ATM, or a mobile wallet like JazzCash or Easypaisa, entering your demand notice reference number under the utility bill payment section.
How do I check my demand notice using my CNIC?
Visit the online service page, select “Check Status” or “Demand Notice,” and enter your CNIC — no login required for this method.
How long is an IESCO demand notice valid?
Typically 30 to 60 days from the issue date — the exact expiry is printed on your specific notice, so always check that rather than assuming a fixed number.
What happens after I pay the demand notice?
IESCO verifies your payment and application details, a field team confirms the site is ready for a meter, and installation follows — typically within 7 to 21 working days after payment.
Why is my demand notice delayed?
Common causes include incomplete documents, an unpaid previous bill at the same property, or a backlog in technical review — contact the IESCO helpline for your specific hold-up.
What’s the difference between ENC and the manual demand notice process?
ENC is fully digital — apply, pay, and track everything online — while the manual process involves paper notices and in-person bank payments. ENC is faster and easier to track whenever it’s available to you.
Conclusion
Getting a new electricity connection doesn’t have to be confusing. The demand notice is just one step, but it’s the most critical one.
Download it as soon as it’s issued. Check the charges carefully. Pay before expiry. Keep your receipt. Then wait for the meter.
The system isn’t perfect, and delays happen — but following this guide will help you avoid the most common mistakes. Don’t ignore the notice, don’t pay late, and always verify your details before paying. You’ve done the hard part already by applying — now pay on time, get your connection, and enjoy reliable power.
