Ishaq Dar Pushes Consumer-Focused Power Sector Reforms
Prime Minister-constituted committee reviews reform and privatisation agenda as Deputy PM stresses efficiency, stronger institutions and better outcomes for electricity consumers.
ISLAMABAD, September 5, 2026: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Saturday chaired the first meeting of a committee constituted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to oversee reforms in Pakistan’s power sector, with the government placing consumer interests, institutional efficiency and long-term sustainability at the centre of the process.
According to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the committee reviewed progress on the government’s broader power-sector reform and privatisation agenda, including measures aimed at institutional strengthening and capacity building across key organisations involved in the electricity sector.
Dar stressed that the next phase of reforms should follow a consumer-centric approach, ensuring that restructuring and privatisation produce tangible improvements rather than remaining limited to institutional changes.
He said the reform process should translate into greater efficiency, financial and operational sustainability, and improved outcomes for electricity consumers.
The Deputy Prime Minister also called for a results-oriented approach, highlighting institutional effectiveness and the long-term viability of the electricity sector as key priorities.
Government Pursues Power Sector Restructuring
The deliberations come as Pakistan continues a wider restructuring of its power sector. The Power Division says the government is pursuing privatisation of electricity distribution companies as part of efforts to improve operational efficiency, governance and service delivery. Recent official updates have also highlighted moves towards a more competitive electricity market and stronger institutional governance.
The government has separately been working on changes to the ownership and management structure of distribution companies, with the Power Division engaging international institutions on reform options.
The Power Division’s 2025 performance report said the privatisation process for three distribution companies had been initiated as part of the government’s broader reform programme.
Saturday’s meeting was attended by the federal ministers for Power and Economic Affairs, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, the Cabinet and Power secretaries, the National Coordinator of NCMC, representatives of provincial governments and other senior federal and provincial officials.
The committee’s emphasis on consumer outcomes will put attention on whether the reform programme ultimately delivers measurable improvements in electricity costs, reliability, distribution-company performance and service standards.
