Power Division misses key targets set by PM Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD: The Power Division is said to have failed to realise over a dozen priority tasks assigned by the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, meant to bring improvement in the country’s poorly performing power sector whose circular debt is now over Rs 2.5 trillion, well-informed sources said. The Power Division has not made any meaningful advancement on conversion of three Chinese imported coal-fired power plant, ie, Sahiwal power plant, Port Qasim power plant and Hub power plant to Thar coal. Availability of Thar coal to Lucky coal power plant and conversion of imported coal-based Jamshoro power plant are also not in sight as of now. For removal of transmission constraints, Ministry of Planning has been directed to ensure the addition of the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in PSDP for FY 2025-26. Power Division is making this project in its PSDP allocations for the FY 2025-26. Prime Minister had also directed that privatisation of existing operating/semi-operating GENCOs (Including Nandipur and Guddu 747) be expedited. The deadline is January 1, 2026, the sources said, adding that progress on this task is also negligible. On private participation in distribution companies, the sources said, in light of the recommendations of the committee on DISCOs, it was decided that IESCO, GEPCO and FESCO shall be offered for complete privatisation in phase-1 whereas LESCO and MEPCO and HAZECO shall be offered for complete privatization in phase-II. SEPCO, HESCO, and PESCO shall be offered for long-term concession agreement to private sector.