Details requested on the progress regarding the privatization of DISCOs, recommendations to ensure the rights and job security of current employees.

Islamabad (Izhaar Khan Niazi) The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Privatization held a meeting at the Parliament House in Islamabad, chaired by Muhammad Farooq Sattar, a member of the National Assembly. The meeting began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by the confirmation of the minutes of the previous meeting and a review of the agenda items.

The committee reviewed the implementation status of previous recommendations and requested details on progress from the relevant ministries, departments, and institutions. Emphasizing the need for timely and effective implementation of its recommendations, the committee directed the relevant authorities to provide complete, accurate, and up-to-date information immediately and to ensure necessary actions.

The meeting provided a detailed briefing on the current status of the Agricultural Development Bank Limited and the proposed plan for its privatization. The committee was informed that the federal cabinet had approved the inclusion of the Agricultural Development Bank in the privatization program for 2024 to 2029 on August 13, 2024, after which the Privatization Commission Board initiated the privatization process by classifying the Agricultural Development Bank under major privatization.

The standing committee also reviewed matters related to the proposed privatization of electricity distribution companies and requested detailed information regarding the privatization process, progress, and related issues.

The committee stressed the importance of transparency throughout the privatization process, thorough scrutiny, and strict adherence to established laws and regulations. It recommended that if distribution companies or other institutions are privatized, the employment, service-related rights, and legitimate interests of current employees must be fully protected under the relevant laws, rules, and regulations.

Members of the National Assembly, including Muhammad Anwar-ul-Haq Chaudhry, Saba Sadiq, Samra Haroon Bilour, Sahar Kamran, and Arshad Abdullah Wahra, attended the meeting. The Secretary of the Ministry of Privatization and Privatization Commission, the President and CEO of Agricultural Development Bank Limited, and senior officials from the Ministry of Privatization and relevant departments were also present at the meeting.