Pakistan Govt and PBC Discuss Privatisation of DISCOs
Finance Division, Business Council Deliberate SOE Reforms and Privatisation
GOVT PBC TALKS ON PRIVATISATION
Illustration concept: A professional photo of a modern corporate boardroom meeting in Islamabad with business executives and officials sitting around a glass conference table.
AI summary
Government representatives and Pakistan Business Council leadership gathered at the Finance Division on Tuesday to deliberate on state-owned enterprise reforms. The dialogue focused on privatisation plans covering power distribution companies, banks, and airports to spur private investment.
Why this matters
State-owned enterprises in Pakistan have long burdened national finances through ongoing operational deficits and inefficiencies. Transferring entities like power distribution companies and airports to private management aims to lighten the government's financial liability while improving infrastructure and public service delivery.
Key takeaways
- Government officials and PBC executives met at the Finance Division to discuss SOE restructuring.
- Proposed privatisation initiatives target power distribution companies (DISCOs), banks, and airports.
- The meeting involved Advisor Khurram Schehzad, PBC Chairman Ziad Bashir, and CEO Javed Kureishi.
- Reforms aim to reduce the state's commercial footprint and boost private sector participation.
High-level discussions took place at the Finance Division on Tuesday between Pakistani government officials and leadership from the Pakistan Business Council (PBC) to explore strategic reforms for state-owned enterprises.
As reported by Business Recorder, the meeting brought together Khurram Schehzad, Advisor to the Finance Minister, alongside newly appointed PBC Chairman Ziad Bashir and Chief Executive Officer Javed Kureishi.
Deliberations focused on accelerating the privatisation framework for key commercial assets, including power distribution companies (DISCOs), banking institutions, and airports. The proposed measures aim to streamline public sector operations and elevate service delivery standards.
The dialogue aligns with the government's broader economic agenda, which seeks to minimise the state's commercial footprint while creating structured opportunities for increased private sector investment.
Frequently asked questions
- Which entities are included in the privatisation discussions?
- The initial discussions highlighted power distribution companies (DISCOs), commercial banks, and airports.
- Who represented the Pakistan Business Council at the meeting?
- The PBC delegation was led by its newly appointed Chairman, Ziad Bashir, alongside Chief Executive Officer Javed Kureishi.
- What is the main objective of restructuring state-owned enterprises?
- The initiative aims to enhance operational efficiency, reduce the commercial footprint of the government, and encourage private sector investment.
Source & transparency
- By:
- The Reviser Desk
- Source:
- Business Recorder
- Original publication:
- Aug 11, 2026, 9:28 AM
- The Reviser publication:
- Aug 11, 2026, 9:28 AM
- Updated:
- Aug 11, 2026, 10:01 AM
This report was independently written by The Reviser editorial desk from verified source material. It is not original on-the-ground reporting by The Reviser.
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