Islamabad: The Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises (CCoSOEs) convened to evaluate the bi-annual performance of Federal State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) for the first half of FY2025-26, underscoring the need for improved governance, transparency, and financial discipline. The meeting, chaired by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, was held at the Finance Division and included the attendance of Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry.

According to Press Information Department, the Central Monitoring Unit (CMU) of the Finance Division presented a comprehensive review highlighting financial and operational performance, profitability, losses, and the implementation of approved business plans. The report revealed that profitable SOEs generated an aggregate profit of Rs423.3 billion, while loss-making entities reported losses totaling Rs342.8 billion, indicating both value creation and the need for reform in underperforming sectors.

Government support to SOEs amounted to Rs804 billion, with contributions back to the Government totaling Rs839 billion, resulting in a net fiscal flow of Rs35 billion. The Committee stressed the importance of enhancing commercial performance and reducing reliance on public support as part of the SOE reform agenda.

Key areas requiring sustained focus were identified, including addressing circular debt, operational weaknesses in power and infrastructure sectors, and corporate governance gaps. The Committee emphasized the need for effective implementation of business plans, measurable performance targets, and timely corrective actions.

The CMU’s integrated digital reporting and analytics platform for SOEs was demonstrated, showcasing advancements in data centralization and reporting capabilities. This tool aims to enhance the Government’s ability to monitor performance and assess risks.

The Committee approved appointments and policy amendments related to various SOEs, including the Printing Corporation of Pakistan, Indigenous Research and Development Agency, and Pakistan State Oil Company Limited. Discussion also covered enhancing the selection process for directors and improving capacity-building measures.