ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has welcomed the interest of Turkish investors in the privatisation of its power distribution companies (DISCOs), as Islamabad seeks to attract private investment and deepen institutional and technical cooperation with Türkiye in the energy sector.
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 bilateral cooperation 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 forums and the Privatisation Commission.
The minister said the government was pursuing comprehensive reforms aimed at improving the performance of the electricity distribution system, ensuring financial sustainability, strengthening governance and improving service delivery through effective private-sector participation.
He welcomed the interest shown by Turkish companies in the DISCOs privatisation process and said their experience and expertise in the energy sector could contribute to Pakistan’s ongoing power-sector reforms.
Leghari also invited Turkish investors to explore wider 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 minister said energy cooperation between Pakistan and Türkiye was already supported by a framework developed through three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) signed between key energy-sector institutions of the two countries during his visit to Türkiye.
According to the minister, the MoUs provide a framework for institutional cooperation in electricity markets, transmission and distribution, potentially creating avenues for further technical engagement between the two countries.
The Turkish ambassador appreciated Pakistan’s ongoing power-sector reforms and measures aimed at encouraging private-sector participation.
Dr Neziroglu said Turkish companies had a keen interest in investment opportunities in Pakistan’s energy sector and that their participation in the DISCOs privatisation process could further strengthen economic ties between the two countries.
He 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 from both sides to further enhance cooperation in energy-sector reforms, investment, technical cooperation and private-sector participation.
The Turkish interest comes as Pakistan advances efforts to restructure and privatise parts of its electricity distribution system, with the government seeking to improve operational performance, financial sustainability and governance in the power distribution sector.