Multiple firms to supply power in Pakistan after 2009
Pakistan Times Business & Commerce Desk

KARACHI: Industrial and commercial consumers will be able to choose their company of preference for getting electricity after privatisation of power distribution system by the year 2009.

This was stated by the consultant of Privatisation Commission Engr Arshad Raza while speaking at the technical session on privatisation and deregulation of public sector utilities of a symposium of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers of Pakistan (IEEEP) held Saturday.

He said that under the "power system electricity market" more players generating power in the metropolis will be allowed to independently sell electricity to the consumers of above one mega watt. "It will be like making selection among the cellular phone service providing companies for getting a connection for your mobile phone set", Engr Arshad said.

He was of the opinion that by the year 2012, this system will be fully developed into a full-fledged market where consumer will be at liberty to choose his power supply company.

Similarly, power distribution companies will also be at liberty to purchase electric power from any power generation company.

Talking of privatisation of Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) Engr Arshad said the company was performing at its full potential.

He was confident that KESC’s performance would improve in the post privatisation scenario, benefiting its consumers.

Responding to a question about the sale price, he said the government has sold the management share on the basis of earning potential of the company and not on the ground of speculative value.

He hoped that privatisation of power generation and distribution companies will strengthen the power sector in the country. Former member (Power) of WAPDA Syed Tanzeem Husain Naqvi opposed the privatisation of public utilities.

Managing Director National Refinery Ltd Qaiser Jamal said that public sector organisations would be free from pressure and mismanagement after privatisation. Managing Director of Siemens, Sohail Wajahat chaired the closing session of the seminar.●