ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the relevant authorities to expedite the privatisation process of power distribution companies (Discos) and generation companies (Gencos).

Presiding over a meeting, the prime minister emphasised that the privatisation of the energy system, leading to the establishment of a competitive electricity market, was the sustainable solution to the country’s energy issues.

The prime minister was told expressions of interest (EoIs) for the privatisation three distribution companies — Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco), Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco) and Gujranwala Electric Supply Company (Gepco) — will be invited soon.

To align the electricity system with modern requirements, the prime minister directed to initiate work on a Battery Energy Storage System through public-private partnerships.

The premier was also briefed on the progress of power sector roadmap, power generation, distribution, privatisation of Discos and Gencos and other reforms. The meeting was told that PC-I of the 500kV Ghazi Barotha-Faisalabad transmission line was at the approval stage.

Besides, the technical feasibility to shift the imported power plants to Thar Coal has been completed whereas work on the railway line to transport Thar coal to the power plants was also in progress.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2025