Islamabad, In a recent session at the Parliament House, the Senate, chaired by Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, discussed the financial health of Pakistan’s State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and passed several key bills aimed at reform and improvement across various sectors. The focus was on the measures to mitigate losses reported by these enterprises, which have been a concern for the country’s economy.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Caretaker Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi provided a detailed account in response to a motion by Senator Mushtaq Ahmed. Solangi revealed that the combined losses of over 200 SOEs amounted to 730 billion rupees, against which there were earnings of 570 billion rupees, leading to a net loss of around 160 billion rupees. Notable among the loss-making entities were the power sector, Pakistan Steel Mills, National Highway Authority, Pakistan International Airlines, and Pakistan Railways.

Solangi highlighted that legislative amendments targeting specific state enterprises, including the National Highway Authority, Pakistan Post, and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation, had been introduced as part of the efforts to reform these entities. The Minister emphasized the parliament’s and the forthcoming elected government’s role in deciding on further reforms to curtail losses.

The Senate session also saw the passage of several bills, including the “Christian Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2023,” the “Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023,” and others focusing on medical aid, management sciences, and engineering technology. Additionally, four new bills were introduced, covering salary scales, health coverage, and constitutional amendments, marking a significant legislative effort to address various national issues.

The discussion and legislative activity underscore the government’s commitment to reforming state-owned enterprises and addressing broader societal needs through legal amendments.