Pakistan, Sept. 29 -- A Senate panel on Monday called for halting the privatisation of power distribution companies (Discos), directing the Privatisation Commission to place the matter before the Council of Common Interests (CCI) or face a privilege motion if it tries to bulldoze the process.

The Senate Sub-Committee on Devolution held a meeting under the chairmanship of Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro. The meeting expressed serious reservations over the Privatisation Commission's response that was sought by the committee over the latter's decision to continue privatisation without fresh approval from the CCI.

"Discos are performing provincial functions which must either be legalised by seeking approval of provincial assemblies or transfer...