Pakistan welcomes Turkish interest in DISCO privatisation

The government has welcomed the interest of Turkish investors in the privatisation of Pakistan’s power distribution companies (DISCOs), as Islamabad seeks to deepen energy-sector cooperation with Türkiye. The development came during a meeting between Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Irfan Neziroglu and Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari on Friday. The meeting reviewed ongoing power-sector reforms, progress on the DISCOs privatisation process, Turkish investment interest and measures to further strengthen cooperation between Pakistan and Turkiye in the energy sector. Leghari said the Power Division had completed the required policy, reform and institutional work for the privatisation of DISCOs, while the formal process was being taken forward through the relevant forum and the Privatisation Commission. He said the government was pursuing comprehensive reforms to improve the performance of the electricity distribution system, ensure financial sustainability and better governance, and enhance service delivery through effective private-sector participation. The minister said energy cooperation between Pakistan and Turkiye was already built on strong foundations. He noted that three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) signed between key energy-sector institutions of the two countries during his visit to Turkiye had provided a framework for institutional cooperation in electricity markets, transmission and distribution. Leghari welcomed the interest of Turkish companies in the DISCOs privatisation process, saying their experience and expertise in the energy sector could contribute significantly to Pakistan’s power-sector reforms. He also invited Turkish investors to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan’s power sector, saying bilateral cooperation was moving beyond the exchange of experience towards stronger institutional linkages, technical cooperation and new investment. The Turkish ambassador appreciated Pakistan’s ongoing power-sector reforms and measures to promote private-sector participation. He said Turkish companies had a keen interest in investment opportunities in Pakistan’s energy sector and that their participation in the DISCOs privatisation process would further strengthen economic ties between the two countries. The ambassador also reaffirmed his commitment to promoting institutional cooperation between Pakistan and Türkiye and strengthening engagement with relevant Turkish companies and institutions. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further enhance cooperation in energy-sector reforms, investment, technical cooperation and private-sector participation.

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