Discos’ death spiral
PAKISTAN — where the sun shines nearly 3,000 hours a year — is experiencing a solar revolution like never before. With 22 GW of solar panels imported in the last…
Discos: privatisation can be a solution
Privatisation has long been touted as a catalyst for economic growth, and for good reason. By introducing private sector expertise and investment into previously state-controlled industries, privatisation can unlock efficiencies,…
Gerrymandering and the poor Discos
Come rain or storm, the political animal will never leave the chance to reap the best out of the economy of any sector. This pursuit is evident in treatment being…
Discos: the tug-of-war is anything but respectable
The power sector circular debt is growing unabated despite successive increases in power tariffs and much-hyped theft reduction campaign by the power ministry. The tariffs, meanwhile, are likely to keep…
Loss-making Discos — Who tops the chart?
Unfortunately, the Pakistan Power Sector is never away from the public eye– specifically, since the last two decades. Media, primarily, picked-up the then ongoing negotiations with the notorious IPPs in…
Privatising Discos: tread with caution
On 13th July 2023, IMF’s Executive Board while approving US$3 billion Stand-by Arrangement (SBA) for Pakistan emphasised adherence to fiscal discipline, progress in energy sector’s structural reforms and better SOEs’…
Privatize DISCOs – but carefully
Recent statements coming out of the federal government on its stated intention to shift the federally owned electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) to the provinces have generated a lot of interest…
DISCOs and price hikes
The rising costs of electricity due to the non-availability of the right kind of fuel is irking consumers. DISCOs are helpless as the whole process is under the government’s control.…
Discos: the middle path?
The government will neither privatise nor will it sell out the shares or its stake in power distribution companies (Discos). Instead, it will hand over the management of Discos to the…
Privatisation of DISCOS
The government is planning to privatise three electricity distribution companies (DISCOS) this year. This writer has been a vocal proponent for a deregulated, open market-based management of the Pakistan economy,…
