Islamabad, The Cabinet Committee on Privatization (CCoP), led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, convened today to outline the future of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in Pakistan, marking a significant push towards privatizing loss-making entities.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the meeting, attended by key economic figures including the Finance Minister and the Minister for Privatization, focused on refining the strategy for reducing the federal government’s role in business sectors. The CCoP determined that privatization efforts should primarily target non-strategic and non-essential SOEs, especially those operating at a loss. The committee also considered the potential privatization of profitable SOEs to streamline government operations and improve efficiency.

The CCoP has directed that 40 SOEs be evaluated by the Cabinet Committee on State Owned Enterprises to determine if they are strategic or essential. Those not meeting the criteria will be included in the Privatization Programme. Additionally, the Ministry of Privatization has been tasked with consulting the respective ministries to decide the fate of 18 SOEs previously recommended for retention and to prepare phased privatization plans for 24 approved entities.