PM orders fast-track strategy for Discos privatisa…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the relevant authorities to adopt a comprehensive strategy to attract local and international investors for the privatisation of state-owned electricity distribution companies (Discos). He also ordered the restructuring of the Privatisation Commission within one month to strengthen its role in the reform process.

Chairing a high-level meeting in Islamabad, the prime minister said the privatisation programme must move forward according to the approved timelines. He stressed that every stage should be completed transparently and in line with international standards and legal requirements. He added that the process should deliver positive financial results while protecting the interests of electricity consumers.

The prime minister instructed officials to ensure that reputable investors participate in the bidding process. He said investor confidence should be increased through effective planning, transparency and a clear policy framework. At the same time, he emphasised that consumer rights should remain a top priority during the transfer of power distribution companies to the private sector.

Officials informed the meeting that investor roadshows for the first phase of the privatisation programme had been completed successfully. These campaigns focused on Gujranwala Electric Power Company (Gepco), Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco) and Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco). Similar investment outreach activities held in Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and China also received encouraging responses from potential investors.

The meeting reviewed progress on institutional reforms within the Privatisation Commission. The prime minister directed the commission to recruit experienced professionals in finance, law and information technology. He said hiring qualified experts would improve the commission’s capacity to manage large-scale transactions and strengthen investor confidence.

He also instructed officials to incorporate recommendations from professional consultants into the privatisation process. All legal, financial and regulatory requirements should be completed without delay to ensure smooth implementation, he added.

The prime minister further ordered the establishment of an effective grievance redress mechanism to address complaints from consumers after the companies are privatised. He said public confidence would depend on uninterrupted services, transparency and accountability.

The government is offering investors the opportunity to acquire majority or full ownership of Fesco, Gepco and Iesco, along with management control. These companies are considered among the strongest electricity distribution companies in the country and together provide power to more than 14 million consumers across Punjab, the Islamabad region and parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The privatisation plan is part of the government’s broader economic reform programme. The initiative aims to improve operational efficiency, reduce financial losses, attract domestic and foreign investment, strengthen service delivery and modernise Pakistan’s power sector through greater private-sector participation.