December 20, 2024 (MLN): The Energy and Economy Parliamentary Forum discussed the privatization of DISCOs and proposed the government consider the provincialisation of Discos in public-private partnership mode especially of loss-making Discos as a first step.
The forum convenes its third meeting in the Parliament House, chaired by Dr. Nafisa Shah, co-convened by Arbab Sher Ali and Shezra Mansab Ali, and attended by Senator Sadia Abbasi and MNAs Mubeen Jutt, Barrister Danial Chaudhry, Dr Amjad Ali.
Privatization of profit-making DISCOs may further burden the government with energy losses and circular debt, the meeting noted, and burden the consumers with unchecked billing.
The meeting reiterated that comprehensive and all-encompassing energy reforms were the need of the hour and agreed to convene a parliamentary consultation to review the ongoing negotiations on the IPPs.
The meeting recommended that the negotiations fairly took place with a focus on both national and international law and allowing a level playing field for all sides.
The forum remains committed to proposing actionable solutions for a more robust energy sector, the meeting resolved.
