Islamabad, (Newsman): The Senate Standing Committee on Industries and Production, chaired by Senator Aon Abbas Bappi, convened today to discuss the Ministry of Industries and Production’s ongoing rightsizing and privatization initiatives.
Minister for Industries and Production, Rana Tanveer Hussain, presented a detailed briefing on the progress and future direction of these efforts, alongside key inputs from the Ministry’s senior officials.
The committee was informed that a total of 29 institutions are currently affiliated with the Ministry of Industries and Production.
Out of these, sixteen are pending review for potential closure or divestment, while the remaining are being reviewed for public-private partnership methods.
As part of the ongoing rightsizing efforts, the government has already made strides in securing cabinet approvals for key decisions and is now focused on reviewing the performance of these institutions over the next six months.
Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain emphasized that institutions showing subpar performance would face closure, underscoring the government’s commitment to improving operational efficiency within the public sector.
Additional Secretary Asif Saeed Khan highlighted that six to seven institutions play a pivotal role in the nation’s industrial ecosystem, and their closure would directly affect the industry.
Among the institutions that will remain under government control is the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), which was singled out as a critical body for the Ministry’s mandate.
Khan also provided a breakdown of the proposed rightsizing measures, including plans to close or privatize 16 institutions.
Notably, the cabinet has already decided to close down Section 42 companies, though this decision is currently under review following a request to withdraw.
The rightsizing committee is focused on ensuring that any changes made align with both economic and industrial priorities.
The committee received a comprehensive update on the asset portfolios of key institutions under the Ministry’s oversight.
Pakistan Engineering Company
Pakistan Engineering Company, which owns 1927 kanals of land valued at Rs 19 billion, faces significant challenges with a debt burden of Rs 7 to 8 billion.
Similarly, Republic Motors, with assets worth Rs 10 billion, is grappling with asset occupation by 28 individuals, with plans to involve a specialized legal team for recovery.
The value of assets held by Sindh Engineering Private Company and Marafco Company was also discussed, with total asset valuations nearing Rs 12 billion across these entities.
Utility Stores Corporation, a vital player in the retail distribution network, was also a focal point of the discussion.
Utility Stores
Despite the government’s initial decision to close the utility stores, this has been withdrawn, and the stores have now been included in the privatization list.
In August, the Privatization Commission hired a financial advisor to assist in the privatization process, which is expected to proceed in phases.
Notably, 2400 of the corporation’s 4300 stores are currently operating at a loss, primarily in Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, while the remaining 1900 stores are profitable.
Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain emphasized that, despite the challenges, the government is committed to supporting the country’s industrial and retail sectors by implementing a clear and strategic rightsizing policy.
“The rightsizing committee has made substantial progress, and we will continue to closely monitor the performance of these institutions over the next six months. If they fail to perform, we will not hesitate to close them down,” said Rana Tanveer Hussain.
As the government progresses with its rightsizing and privatization plans, Senator Aon Abbas Bappi reiterated the importance of ensuring that critical institutions like those in Multan are not shut down prematurely.
He called for a balanced approach that would protect jobs and ensure the continued operation of vital industries.
The committee will reconvene in the coming months to review the progress of the rightsizing efforts and the financial performance of key institutions.