In a major move to tackle severe staff shortages in the country’s electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) and to reduce delays in maintenance and development work, the Power Division has allowed all DISCOs to hire personnel through third-party outsourcing. This initiative aims to reduce long-term financial liabilities while ensuring timely service delivery to consumers.
During a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Energy, Power Division Secretary Dr. Fakhar Alam Irfan informed members that all DISCOs have been granted permission to recruit staff through third parties as per their operational needs. If a worker is found unsatisfactory, the relevant company can request the contractor to replace that employee.
Committee Chairman Mohammad Idrees and other members expressed concern over the lack of personnel in their constituencies, noting that this shortage is a key reason behind unusual delays in power restoration and fault repairs.
The Power Division explained that outsourced employees will receive technical training, while the existing staff — currently assigned to meter reading and bill distribution — will be shifted to more technical roles. Discussions are also underway to hand over bill distribution to Pakistan Post, which currently performs this function for MEPCO.
The meeting also reviewed the “Multi-Vendor Electricity Distribution Bill 2025”. The Power Secretary stated that Pakistan’s electricity market has been opened for competition, with the first auction expected in January or February 2026, offering contracts of up to 200 MW.
He added that the Integrated Generation Capacity Expansion Plan (IGCEP) 2025–2035 has been approved by the cabinet and is under NEPRA’s review. Once finalized, the CTBCM (Competitive Trading Bilateral Contract Market) framework will be formally implemented.
The Power Secretary revealed that net metering capacity has grown from 1,200–1,300 MW to nearly 6,000 MW, while satellite data indicates around 12,000 MW of off-grid solar generation, which is becoming a challenge for grid stability.
He also highlighted a significant reduction in power sector losses, which declined from PKR 600 billion in 2024 to PKR 397 billion, with further improvement measures underway. Following consultations with the IMF, the government has decided to waive August 2025 electricity bills for household consumers in flood-affected areas, while providing installment payment options for industrial and commercial users.
The Power Division has instructed that areas with line losses of up to 20% should not face unannounced load-shedding.
Officials from HESCO and SEPCO briefed the committee on maintenance challenges, power theft, and delayed development projects in their regions. The committee directed the Power Division to consult parliamentarians and submit a comprehensive report on replacing outdated wiring and curbing electricity theft.
