Private investors can fill Rs3tr development gap

The Express Tribune reported that a bill before the National Assembly Standing Committee would combine the Privatisation Commission (PC) and the Public Private Partnership Authority (P3A). The proposed Privatisation Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026 would create a single commission and bring privatisation and public-private partnership projects under one board and approval system. The PC puts this year’s federal development budget at Rs1.126 trillion, compared with stated requirements of Rs4.1 trillion.

The proposal is intended to make it easier for private investors to participate in projects including roads, hospitals, water schemes and power facilities, as public funding falls short. It proposes four non-lapsable funds for privatisation, public contributions, viability gaps and PPP project development, while projects would have deadlines and dedicated teams. A Finance Division Risk Management Unit would review government financial commitments before PPP approvals; the PC says contingent liabilities from such projects already exceed Rs472 billion. The bill also envisages public PPP agreements and says existing projects would continue through the merger.