Govt Moves Closer To ZTBL Privatization

The Privatisation Commission Board has given the green light to the proposed transaction structure and restructuring plan for Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), marking a crucial stage in the privatization process, according to official records. The financial adviser's proposal was presented to the board on April 29, 2026, and received approval on April 30 after the board endorsed the adviser's recommendations for presentation to the Cabinet Committee on Privatization.

The final step involves the federal cabinet's approval, after which the government intends to invite investors and bidders to participate in ZTBL's privatization. Subsequent phases include publishing an expression of interest, prequalifying bidders, finalizing due diligence, conducting competitive bidding, and completing the financial closure.

The Due Diligence Report for ZTBL was already approved by the Transaction Committee, with the financial adviser submitting the Enterprise Due Diligence Report and Transaction Structure Report in November 2025, and subsequent revisions being reviewed and approved by various stakeholders. The federal cabinet's approval of ZTBL's privatization in August 2024, under the government’s Privatization Programme 2024 to 29, classified the bank's privatization as a major privatization at the Privatisation Commission Board's meeting on September 30, 2024.

The Privatisation Commission Board also approved appointing Next Capital-led consortium as the top ranked bidder on July 3, 2025. The Financial Advisory Services Agreement was signed on August 8, 2025, and the ZTBL Transaction Committee was established in September 2025 to oversee the financial adviser's work and support the privatization process.