Islamabad –: The federal government is moving forward with plans to privatize major electric supply companies, including Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO), and Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) in September, sparking heated debate in the National Assembly.
During a briefing to the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, Additional Director of the Power Division, Mahfooz Bhatti, revealed the privatization timeline. The announcement drew strong criticism from committee members, who questioned the rationale behind privatizing relatively better-performing companies while larger loss-making power firms continue to operate under government control.
Lawmakers expressed concern over the government’s widespread privatization agenda, pointing out that essential public services are increasingly being handed over to the private sector. “The entire country is being privatized—first schools, then government hospitals, and now even electricity departments. What will be left?” one member protested during the session.
The government maintains that privatization is aimed at improving efficiency and reducing financial losses in the power sector. However, the opposition argues that the move could lead to job losses, increased tariffs, and a decline in public access to affordable electricity.
Further debate and scrutiny are expected in the coming weeks as the government pushes ahead with its economic reform plans.
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