Islamabad, Sep 15: Govt Applies Essential Services Act in DISCOs.
The Essential Services Act has reportedly been in effect at DISCOs, NTDC, and GENCOs for six months in order to keep workers from going on strike while the Pakistani government plans to privatize these financially troubled state-owned companies.
According to sources, the statute also restricts union activity within NTDCs, GENCOs, and DISCOs.
While unions and employees of GENCO, DISCO, and NTDC are expected to demonstrate, sources suggest that any violation of the Essential Services Act will have dire repercussions.
On August 2, following the Ministry of Energy’s announcement of a phased privatization plan, the federal government approved the sale of 13 electricity distribution businesses.
The Ministry of Energy has also released guidelines for the sale of 12 power-related companies.
Four Discos will be privatized in the first phase of the process, which will be carried out in stages. FESCO, GEPCO, HESCO, and IESCO are the four power corporations.
The privatization of MEPCO, PESCO, and other businesses would be part of the second phase.
