Islamabad Staff Reporter
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed the swift completion of the privatization process for non-performing and financially burdensome state-owned enterprises (SOEs), emphasizing the need to avoid administrative and institutional delays. He stressed that national interest and enhancement of future institutional efficiency must remain central to the privatization efforts.
The directive came during a high-level review meeting held on Thursday under the Prime Minister’s chairmanship, focused on the privatization of proposed state-owned entities. The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Division Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, and senior officials from relevant departments.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office Media Wing, PM Shehbaz instructed authorities to involve internationally renowned experts in the privatization process and to implement a comprehensive strategy to enhance the internal capabilities of these institutions.
He further emphasized that the best possible deals should be negotiated for the SOEs being privatized and warned against any bureaucratic red tape or delays, stating that such inefficiencies would not be tolerated.
The Prime Minister announced that he would personally monitor the progress of the privatization process and hold regular review meetings. During the session, he was briefed on the progress of privatization of 15 out of 24 identified SOEs.
Reiterating his commitment, PM Shehbaz directed that the privatization process be completed as soon as possible, with a focus on transparency, efficiency, and safeguarding the national interest.
