ISLAMABAD, AUG 21 /DNA/ – The privatisation of Pakistan’s power distribution companies has reached a new milestone, with the Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO) attracting strong interest from both domestic and international investors.

The Privatisation Commission (PC) confirmed that by the closing date for submission of Expressions of Interest (EOIs), it had received bids from 11 prospective investors seeking to acquire between 51% and 100% shareholding in GEPCO, along with full management control.

The interested parties include:

1. Aktor Elektrik Enerji Yatırımları San. ve Tic. A.Ş. – Turkey
2. Genvera Enerji A.Ş. – Turkey
3. Cengiz Enerji Sanayii ve Ticaret A.Ş. – Turkey
4. Al Sharif Contracting and Commercial Development Company – Saudi Arabia
5. Engro Energy Limited – Pakistan
6. Sapphire Fibers Limited – Pakistan
7. Hub Power Holdings and Lucky Cement – Pakistan
8. Shirazi Investments (Pvt) Limited – Pakistan
9. Artistic Milliners (Private) Limited and Fatima Group – Pakistan
10. K-Electric Limited – Pakistan
11. AKD Securities, Fast Cable and Mughal Steel Group – Pakistan

The list features major business groups from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan’s leading industrial and energy sectors.

Muhammad Ali, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Privatisation and Chairman of the Privatisation Commission, hailed the response as a clear vote of confidence in Pakistan’s power-sector reform agenda. “Today marks another important achievement in the privatisation of DISCOs. The strong response for GEPCO is indicative of investor confidence in the potential of Pakistan’s electricity distribution sector and in the Government’s commitment to a transparent, competitive and professionally managed process,” he said.

He added that the commission looks forward to engaging constructively with prequalified investors during the due-diligence phase, emphasising that the privatisation aims to improve operational efficiency, modernise distribution infrastructure, strengthen customer service, reduce losses, and support a more financially sustainable power sector. “In the long run, these measures will help create the conditions for more competitive electricity distribution and affordable, reliable power for consumers,” he noted.

The submitted EOIs and Statements of Qualification (SOQs) will now undergo a comprehensive evaluation against approved prequalification criteria. Successful applicants will be granted access to a Virtual Data Room (VDR) for detailed buy-side due diligence.

GEPCO is one of three distribution companies in DISCOs Batch-I, alongside Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) and Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO). The deadline for IESCO EOIs is 7th September 2026, while FESCO had already received 12 EOIs by its 7th August 2026 deadline.

The Privatisation Commission reiterated its commitment to an open, transparent, and competitive process, carried out in the public interest and in line with the Federal Government’s broader power-sector reform agenda.

— Imran Ghaznavi, Spokesperson