11 Investors Bid for Gepco as Pakistan’s Power Privatisation Gains Momentum
Turkish, Saudi and major Pakistani business groups submit interest in acquiring up to 100% stake with management control
Eleven domestic and international investors submit bids for Gepco’s proposed privatisation.
ISLAMABAD: The Privatisation Commission (PC) has received 11 Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from domestic and international investors for the proposed privatisation of Gujranwala Electric Power Company (Gepco).
The investors want to acquire between 51% and 100% of Gepco’s shares, along with management control, the commission said on Friday.
Four foreign investors submitted EOIs. Three are from Türkiye and one is from Saudi Arabia. Seven local business groups also expressed interest in the electricity distribution company.
The three Turkish companies are Aktor Elektrik Enerji Yat?r?mlar? San. ve Tic. A.?., Genvera Enerji A.?. and Cengiz Enerji Sanayii ve Ticaret A.?. All three had also expressed interest in the proposed privatisation of Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco).
Saudi Arabia’s Al Sharif Contracting and Commercial Development Company also submitted an EOI for Gepco.
Major Pakistani groups show interest
Several leading Pakistani companies and business groups are among the interested investors. These include Engro Energy, Sapphire Fibers, Hub Power Holdings, Lucky Cement, Shirazi Investments, Artistic Milliners, Fatima Group, K-Electric, AKD Securities, Fast Cable and Mughal Steel Group.
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Most of these investors are also competing for Fesco. The AKD-led consortium is the exception.
Meanwhile, Maple Leaf Cement and Kohinoor Textile, Nishat Mills and Pak Elektron submitted EOIs for Fesco but did not express interest in Gepco.
The Privatisation Commission said the strong response followed extensive domestic and international roadshows conducted during the past six months.
Government expects power-sector improvements
Muhammad Ali, the prime minister’s adviser on privatisation and chairman of the Privatisation Commission, welcomed the investor response.
He said the interest showed confidence in Pakistan’s electricity distribution sector. He also highlighted the government’s commitment to a transparent and competitive privatisation process.
The commission plans to work with prequalified investors during the due diligence stage. It will also discuss the framework for Gepco’s operations after privatisation.
The government expects the process to improve operational efficiency and modernise Gepco’s distribution network. It also aims to improve customer service and reduce electricity losses.
Officials believe these measures could support a more financially sustainable power sector. They could also help create more competitive electricity distribution and improve the reliability of power supplies.
Investors face evaluation before next stage
The Privatisation Commission will now evaluate the submitted EOIs and Statements of Qualification against approved pre-qualification criteria.
Investors that meet the requirements will move to the next stage. They will receive access to a Virtual Data Room to conduct detailed due diligence.
Gepco forms part of Discos Batch-I, along with Fesco and Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco). The deadline for Iesco’s EOI submissions is September 7, 2026.
The government originally created the 11 electricity distribution companies from Wapda in 1998. Authorities consider Gepco, Fesco and Iesco among the most viable companies for privatisation.
The Privatisation Commission said it would maintain an open, transparent and competitive process. The initiative forms part of the federal government’s broader plan to reform Pakistan’s power sector.
