PD says no fresh CCI approval needed for DISCO privatisation
Privatisation Division (PD) has maintained that fresh approval from the Council of Common Interests (CCI) is not required to privatise power distribution companies (DISCOs), citing earlier decisions of the constitutional body and the National Electricity Policy. In a response submitted to a Sub Committee of the Senate’s Functional Committee on Devolution, the division said the CCI had approved…
The Privatisation Division (PD) has clarified that a fresh approval from the Council of Common Interests (CCI) is not necessary for the privatisation of power distribution companies (DISCOs). This assertion is based on previous decisions made by the constitutional body and the National Electricity Policy. In a submission to a Senate Sub Committee, the PD noted that the CCI had previously approved the privatisation of three generation and nine distribution companies in 2011.
Furthermore, the CCI granted approval on June 21, 2021, to the National Electricity Policy, specifically stating that the government should explore various options for privatisation to boost the efficiency of state-owned entities. The Law Division reconfirmed on September 25, 2026, that the 2011 CCI decision renders fresh approval unnecessary for DISCO privatisation.
The PD's stance highlights ongoing concerns about the federal government's authority to privatise power utilities and the CCI's role in the process.
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