ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed the authorities concerned to adopt a comprehensive strategy to attract international investors for the privatisation of state-owned power distribution companies (Discos) and complete the restructuring of the Privatisation Commission within one month.“
A comprehensive and effective strategy should be adopted to ensure the participation of investors meeting international standards in the privatisation of Discos,” the prime minister said while chairing a review meeting in Islamabad, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
He, however, stressed that consumers’ interests must remain a priority throughout the privatisation process.
The premier directed that all stages of the privatisation process be completed within the stipulated timelines, in accordance with established rules and international best practices, while ensuring optimal financial outcomes.
Privatisation Commission to be restructured in a month
Expressing satisfaction over investor roadshows held in Pakistan and abroad, Mr Shehbaz said they had generated encouraging interest in the government’s privatisation programme.
Officials informed the meeting that roadshows for the first phase of the privatisation of Gujranwala Electric Power Company (Gepco), Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco) and Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) had been completed. Investor outreach activities in Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and China had also produced positive results, the PMO said.
The meeting reviewed progress on the first phase of the Discos’ privatisation and efforts to strengthen the Privatisation Commission through institutional restructuring and the recruitment of qualified professionals.
The prime minister directed the commission to recruit experts of international standards in finance, law and information technology to enhance its institutional capacity and improve its ability to attract investment.
He also instructed officials to ensure that recommendations of professional consultants were fully incorporated into the privatisation process and that all legal and financial regulatory requirements were completed on time.
Mr Shehbaz further directed that a comprehensive grievance redress mechanism be established to safeguard consumers’ interests after the privatisation of the utilities.
Energy Minister Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Privatisation Muhammad Ali and senior government officials attended the meeting.
On May 19, the Privatisation Commission invited expressions of interest (EoIs) from local and international investors for the long-delayed sale of Iesco, Gepco and Fesco.
The three companies are regarded as the most commercially viable among the 11 electricity distribution companies carved out of the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) in 1998.
The government plans to offer investors between 51pc and 100pc shareholding, along with management control, in each company to improve operational efficiency and service delivery through private-sector management.
The commission had fixed July 7 as the deadline for EoIs for Fesco, Aug 24 for Gepco and Sept 7 for Iesco.
Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026