The major power supply companies of Pakistan, FESCO, IESCO and GEPCO are about to go private.
The electric supply companies of Pakistan are about to get privatised for the first time in the history of Pakistan.
The government of Pakistan has invited local and foreign investors to express interest in acquiring stakes in three major electricity distribution companies as part of a broader push to reform the country’s energy sector.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Privatisation Commission said investors would be able to acquire between 51% and 100% shareholding, along with management control, in Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO), Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO) and Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO).
The commission said the move was aimed at improving operational efficiency, strengthening service delivery and attracting both domestic and foreign investment into the power sector.
Together, the three distribution companies, commonly known as DISCOs, serve more than 14 million consumers across Punjab and the Islamabad region, including major industrial and commercial centres.
According to the commission, the privatisation process will be conducted through a transparent and competitive mechanism in line with international standards.
Investors may participate individually or as part of consortiums, subject to qualification requirements outlined in the Request for Statement of Qualification documents.
Separate applications will be required for each company.
The deadlines for submitting expressions of interest are 7 July for FESCO, 6 August for GEPCO and 7 September for IESCO.
The commission also announced plans to hold an online investor briefing with its financial adviser to explain the transaction structure, investment opportunities and procedural requirements.
Pakistan’s government has described the privatisation of power distribution companies as a key component of its wider energy sector reform programme, which aims to reduce inefficiencies, modernise infrastructure and increase private-sector participation.
The commission said it would also engage with investors and other stakeholders to review the existing tariff structure, multi-year tariff regime and framework governing competitive suppliers.
According to the statement, the proposed reforms are intended to introduce a performance- and efficiency-based return model while enabling private investors to make commercial use of DISCO infrastructure and customer networks.
The commission reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining a predictable investment climate supported by regulatory transparency, policy continuity and institutional reform.
The electric companies supply electricity in the following areas of Pakistan:
| Batch-I DISCOs | Districts / Coverage | Service Area | Consumers |
|---|---|---|---|
| FESCO | Central Punjab, including Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Chiniot, Sargodha, Mianwali, Khushab and Bhakkar | 44.3K km² | 5.7 million |
| GEPCO | Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin and Hafiz Abad | 17.2K km² | 5.1 million |
| IESCO | Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Attock, Chakwal and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) | 23.2K km² | 4.1 million |
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