Ten Pakistani and Turkish prospective investors have expressed interest in acquiring a controlling stake in Islamabad Electric Supply Company, the Privatisation Commission says.
The proposed transaction covers between 51% and 100% of IESCO’s shares together with management control.
Three interested parties are from Türkiye and seven are Pakistani companies or consortiums.
Who has shown interest?
The Turkish companies are Aktor Elektrik Enerji Yatirimlari, Genvera Enerji and Cengiz Enerji.
Pakistani participants include Engro Energy, Sapphire Fibres, Novatex and Bestway Cement, alongside consortiums led by Artistic Milliners, Hub Power Holding and Hasnaat Brothers Construction Company.
These submissions are expressions of interest, not binding financial bids or completed purchase agreements.
The commission will evaluate applicants against its prequalification criteria before inviting eligible parties to undertake detailed due diligence.
Part of a wider power-sector programme
IESCO is in the first group of electricity distribution companies being prepared for privatisation, alongside Faisalabad Electric Supply Company and Gujranwala Electric Power Company.
The commission has reported investor interest in the other two companies as well.
The government hopes private-sector management will improve operational efficiency, customer service and investment in distribution infrastructure.
Electricity distributors play an important role in collecting bills and managing losses, so their performance affects finances across the power sector.
However, the benefits of privatisation are not automatic. They depend on the transaction terms, regulatory framework and the performance of any successful buyer.
What happens next?
Qualified applicants are expected to receive access to a virtual data room where they can review detailed information about IESCO.
The process may then move towards formal bidding.
The number of interested investors does not establish a sale price or guarantee that any applicant will submit a final offer.
For now, the response marks progress in preparing a potential sale, with prequalification and due diligence still ahead.