Islamabad : Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday instructed the relevant authorities to devise a comprehensive strategy to attract top international investors for the privatisation of power distribution companies (DISCOs), emphasising that the entire process must be transparent, competitive and aligned with global best practices.
Chairing a high-level meeting on the privatisation of DISCOs and the restructuring of the Privatisation Commission, the prime minister directed officials to complete the Commission’s institutional reforms within one month.
Expressing satisfaction over investor roadshows held in Pakistan and abroad, PM Shehbaz said the outreach campaign had generated encouraging interest among international investors. He instructed that all stages of the DISCO privatisation programme be completed within the stipulated timeframe, in full compliance with legal requirements and international standards, while ensuring the government secures maximum value from the transactions.
The prime minister also directed the Privatisation Commission to strengthen its institutional capacity by recruiting internationally experienced experts in finance, legal affairs and information technology. He said the addition of skilled professionals would enhance the Commission’s ability to manage privatisation projects and attract greater investment in state-owned enterprises.
PM Shehbaz further instructed that recommendations from globally recognised consultants be incorporated throughout the privatisation process to improve transparency, efficiency and investor confidence. He also called for the prompt completion of all legal, financial and regulatory requirements to avoid delays in the implementation of the programme.
Highlighting consumer protection as a key priority, the prime minister said public interest must remain central to the privatisation process. He also ordered the establishment of an effective complaint redressal mechanism to address consumer issues in privatised electricity distribution companies.
During the meeting, the Privatisation Commission briefed participants on progress in the first phase of the DISCO privatisation plan and provided an update on the recruitment of qualified professionals under its restructuring programme.
Officials informed the meeting that investor roadshows for the first phase, covering Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO), Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) and Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), had been successfully organised in Pakistan as well as overseas.
The briefing further noted that promotional engagements with investors in Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and China had received a positive response, boosting confidence in the government’s privatisation agenda.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Privatisation Muhammad Ali, and senior officials from relevant government departments.
