Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed the relevant authorities to accelerate the privatization process of electricity distribution companies (DISCOs), reiterating that offloading loss-making State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) remains a top priority for the government. Chairing a high-level review meeting in Islamabad, the prime minister instructed officials to ensure complete transparency throughout the privatization process and to establish a robust regulatory framework immediately following the transition of the DISCOs to the private sector.
Privatization of DISCOs in First Phase
During the briefing on the progress regarding the privatization of DISCOs, it was informed that in the first phase, Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO), and Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) would be privatized. The Expression of Interest (EOI) for this purpose has already been published in national and international newspapers. The Cabinet Committee on Privatization has approved the transaction structure for the privatization of these three DISCOs.
International roadshows are being organized starting this month to attract investors from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and China. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Sardar Awais Leghari, Adviser to the Prime Minister Muhammad Ali, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, and other senior government officials.
Global Fund Partnership
Also on Tuesday, PM Shehbaz Sharif acknowledged the Global Fund as a critical partner of Pakistan in improving its healthcare system and appreciated the fund's significant role and contribution to improving public health in the developing world. The prime minister met a Global Fund delegation led by Mark Edington of the Global Fund's Grant Management Division, along with other members including Senior Portfolio Manager Izaskun Gaviria and Deputy General Counsel Natasha Heffinck, according to a Prime Minister's Office news release.
PM Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the delegation and underlined that Pakistan values its partnership with the Global Fund. He highlighted that the government is committed to eliminating the spread of TB, HIV, and malaria from the country and is making full efforts in this regard. "Your partnership is strengthening our efforts to eliminate HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria from Pakistan," the prime minister said. He also directed the formation of a joint working group between the Government of Pakistan and the Global Fund regarding the prevention of HIV. Officials from the Ministry of National Health apprised the delegation of the government's efforts regarding the prevention of TB, HIV, and malaria in Pakistan.
The delegation thanked the Government of Pakistan for hosting them and appreciated the steps taken to eliminate tuberculosis, HIV, and malaria, reiterating their partnership with Pakistan to eliminate these diseases. Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for National Health Syed Mustafa Kamal, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Prime Minister's Focal Person for Polio Control Ayesha Raza Farooq, and other senior government officials were also present in the meeting.
Agriculture Sector Reforms
Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed provinces, particularly Balochistan, to present comprehensive plans for increasing cotton production. He instructed that the notification of the reconstituted Cotton Board be issued immediately. The prime minister was speaking to a delegation of Agricultural Sector Stakeholders who called on him at the PM House. The delegation included representatives of farmers' organizations, the dairy and livestock sector, the value-added sector, seed-producing companies, as well as national and multinational organizations.
The meeting, held ahead of the Federal Budget for Fiscal Year 2026–27, aimed to consult stakeholders from the agricultural sector regarding budget-related matters. Participants appreciated the prime minister's leadership and efforts toward promoting peace in the current regional situation. They welcomed the recently introduced Seed Policy and agricultural reforms, describing them as a game changer for the agricultural sector.
The prime minister stated that Pakistan's agricultural sector has tremendous potential to bring about revolutionary change in the country's economy. He said that, with the cooperation of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) is being modernized to accelerate agricultural research. PM Shehbaz Sharif directed the formation of a committee comprising experts and relevant stakeholders from across the country to advance the agenda of sustainable agricultural development and reforms.
He emphasized the need to ensure effective coordination between the federal and provincial governments and harmonize federal and provincial policies and regulations. He instructed authorities to focus particularly on increasing crop yield per acre, promoting climate-resilient hybrid seeds, developing the horticulture sector, advancing agricultural mechanization, and enhancing value addition in agricultural products. He welcomed the proposals presented by participants regarding the promotion of the dairy and livestock sectors.
The prime minister reaffirmed that the government will continue consultations and cooperation with all relevant stakeholders to ensure sustainable agricultural development, food security, and economic stability. The delegation was briefed on the government's initiatives for agricultural development and farmers' welfare. During the briefing, participants were informed that under the Zarkhaiz Scheme, small farmers are being provided bank loans of up to Rs 1 million on easy terms and conditions. The State Bank of Pakistan is providing farmers with a risk coverage scheme and crop loss insurance. Drafts of the National Animal Health Act and the National Breeding Policy have been prepared to support the development of the dairy and livestock sectors.
Members of the delegation highlighted issues facing the agricultural sector and presented suggestions for their resolution. The delegation appreciated the government's initiatives for the development of Pakistan's agricultural sector and expressed confidence in its economic and development policies. The delegation included Arshad Iqbal, Zeeshan Baig, Mahmood Nawaz Shah, Imad Malik, Rana Naseem, Ahsan Mustafa Bajwa, Jahangir Tareen, Fahad Patel, Shehzad Amin, Khizar Alam Khan, Amina Asif Bajwa, Zahoor Hussain, Usman Zaheer, Ahmad Qadir, Afaq Tiwana, Shaukat Rasool, and Khalid Khokhar.
The meeting was also attended by Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Minister for Science and Technology Khalid Hussain Magsi, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister for Water Resources Muhammad Moeen Wattoo, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan, along with senior government officials.
