No fresh approval required for Discos’ privatisation

The Privatisation Division told a Senate sub-committee that the Council of Common Interests had already cleared the sale of three generation companies (GENCOs) and nine distribution companies (Discos) back in 2011, so the process can move ahead without a new clearance. According to Business Recorder, the Privatisation Commission pointed to a CCI approval dated 21 June 2021 of the National Electricity Policy, which calls on the government to examine several privatisation options for state-owned entities. Both decisions, it said, remain in force, and a Law Division letter dated 25 September 2026 reconfirmed this position.

The committee chairman, Zamir Hussain Ghumro, voiced reservations about continuing the process for matters under provincial control and directed authorities to review the constitutional and legal position. He warned that a failure to address the issue could lead to parliamentary action, including a privilege motion, and said matters involving provinces must go to the CCI. Ghumro argued that Discos perform provincial functions, which could either be legalised through provincial assembly approval or transferred to the provinces.