Pakistan moves to privatise 17 state-owned enterprises, outsource three major airports

Pakistan is preparing to privatise 17 state-owned entities, among them nine electricity distributors, while also seeking private operators for three airports. Privatisation Commission Chairman Muhammad Ali outlined the plans at an Islamabad summit on Thursday, adding that banks and insurers are also part of the transaction agenda.

Ali argued that private capital and operating know-how could support public-sector reforms and free government resources for essential services. He also presented the TRUST framework, which calls for stronger exports, investment, skills development and sustained reforms, and highlighted agriculture, textiles, apparel, and digital services as areas with room to grow. He said goods exports of about $30 billion last fiscal year were below remittances of roughly $41.6 billion, underscoring the need to expand domestic production and higher-value exports.