Turkish investors are keenly eyeing a significant role in Pakistan’s energy market as the nation prepares to privatize its state-owned Power Distribution Companies (DISCOs), a move that signals a major potential influx of foreign capital into the sector.
The development emerged from a high-level meeting on Tuesday between Federal Minister for Power, Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, and Trkiye’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar. Minister Leghari confirmed that the initial phase of the divestment is imminent, with an Expression of Interest (EOI) ready for issuance for the first three distribution entities.
Commending Trkiye’s successful concession-based energy framework, Leghari stressed the importance of deep institutional collaboration during the privatization process. He also highlighted the value of Turkish support in training Pakistani power-sector personnel, acknowledging the expertise his country hopes to gain from Trkiye’s largely privatized energy model.
In his remarks, Minister Bayraktar affirmed that Turkish firms are closely monitoring the sell-off and are expected to participate meaningfully. To facilitate this engagement, he proposed organizing investment roadshows in Trkiye and utilizing the Turkish Investment Forum to showcase the opportunities available.
Leghari also briefed his counterpart on ongoing reforms within Pakistan’s power utilities and the preparation of a new Integrated Energy Plan, expressing a desire to leverage Turkish proficiency in its development. Bayraktar reiterated his country’s strong interest, noting that Turkish companies are already major investors in other Pakistani industries, including the mining sector, which is closely linked to power generation.