Govt to Engage Global Experts for Faster SOE Privatisation

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed the Privatisation Commission to engage internationally recognised experts to accelerate the privatisation of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). He stressed that the process must align with national interests while meeting global standards of transparency and efficiency.

Chairing a review meeting on the ongoing privatisation programme, the prime minister said he would personally monitor the process to ensure that it remains transparent and free of bureaucratic hurdles. He made it clear that unnecessary delays and administrative bottlenecks would not be tolerated.

Shehbaz Sharif underscored the importance of fast-tracking privatisation, especially for loss-making and underperforming SOEs that continue to burden the national exchequer. He directed the Privatisation Commission to complete pending transactions at the earliest while avoiding legal and procedural complexities.

Officials briefed the prime minister on the progress of the privatisation programme, which currently includes 24 entities, with active work underway on 15 of them. Among the key assets under review are Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Ltd (PIACL), the Roosevelt Hotel in New York, and two power distribution companies where private sector participation is being sought.

The prime minister urged officials to take immediate steps to improve internal performance within public-sector enterprises and to ensure that privatisation agreements deliver the best possible returns to the national treasury. He reaffirmed that the government views privatisation not only as a fiscal reform measure but also as a way to improve service delivery, operational efficiency, and economic competitiveness across key sectors.