ISLAMABAD: Cabinet has greenlighted privatisation of 13 entities under Pakistan's Power Division, including nine power distribution companies. Sources told that out of 11 government-owned power distribution companies, nine have been included in privatisation list.

However, Quetta Electric Supply Company and Tribal Electric Supply Company were excluded from list. Furthermore, Cabinet approved inclusion of power generation companies (GENCOs) in privatisation list. Cabinet granted approval for declaring six Power Division entities as 'national important entities', which include Power Holding Limited and Central Power Purchasing Agency.  Moreover, Cabinet has approved restructuring of four Power Division entities including Quetta Electric Supply Company and Tribal Electric Supply Company. Restructuring of Islamabad-based entities NTDC and NESPAK has also been approved. Previously, Pakistan had only loss-making state-owned enterprises on its chopping block. Privatisation has long been on International Monetary Fund's list of recommendations for Pakistan.