Privatisation of profit-making Discos worries NA committee

The National Assem­bly’s Standing Committee on Economic Affairs Division (EAD) expressed concern on Wednesday over the privatisation of profit-making power distribution companies (Discos) and the financial loss incurred from generating surplus electricity. The committee, chaired by MNA Muhammad Atif, also reprimanded the National Highway Authority (NHA) for the absence of its chairman and Com­munications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan from the meeting. The committee examined the proposed privatisation of three power distribution companies of Islamabad, Gujran­wala and Faisalabad — Iesco, Gepco and Fesco — raising concerns over the methodology that exclusively targets Discos with minimal transmission and distribution losses for privatisation.