Pakistan, Sept. 29 -- The government's plan to privatise electricity distribution companies ran into a fresh constitutional roadblock on Monday when a Senate sub-committee demanded that the process be halted and sent back to the Council of Common Interests. The timing could hardly be more awkward. Islamabad is already deep into the sale of Iesco, Fesco and Gepco, while the first batch is expected to be finalised by early 2027 under the IMF programme.

This is, therefore, no longer a vague, academic argument over whether electricity distribution should remain in public hands. Ten parties have shown interest in Iesco alone, including three Turkish investors, while Fesco and Gepco have drawn their own fields of prospective buyers. The state ...