NA Committee seeks swift progress on ZTBL, DISCO privatization

According to Mettis Global, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Privatization met on Tuesday and pressed for prompt implementation of its earlier recommendations. The panel, chaired by MNA Muhammad Farooq Sattar, reviewed how those recommendations were being carried out and heard from the ministry, departments and organisations concerned. It also instructed the relevant authorities to supply complete, accurate and current information together with the necessary follow-up steps.

The committee was briefed on Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited, or ZTBL, and noted that the Federal Cabinet approved its inclusion in the Privatization Programme, covering 2024 to 29, on August 13, 2024. The Privatization Commission Board then placed ZTBL under the Major Privatization category and began the process. Members also asked for detailed information on the planned privatization of distribution companies, known as DISCOs, including the stages involved and related developments.

The panel placed weight on transparency and due diligence, insisting that every applicable rule be followed throughout. It also advised protecting the job status, service entitlements and legitimate interests of current staff under the relevant laws should the privatization move forward. Several MNAs, among them Anwar-ul-Haq Chaudhary, Saba Sadiq, Samar Haroon Bilour, Sehar Kamran and Arshad Abdullah Vohra, joined the session, alongside the secretary of the Ministry of Privatization and Privatization Commission, ZTBL's president and CEO, and senior officials.