Pakistan Introduces Competitive Electricity Market By June 2026

In a significant shift towards enhancing transparency and competitiveness in public procurement, Pakistan's federal government has announced that it will eliminate preferential treatment for State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) by June 2026. This decision, communicated to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), aims to ensure equal treatment for all bidders in public contracts. The new procurement rules, which have already received federal cabinet approval, will require third-party evaluations for contracts exceeding Rs 2 billion and validations for those between Rs 500 million and Rs 2 billion. "The reforms were initiated in August 2024 following 24 directives from the Prime Minister’s Office aimed at structural improvements," as reported by ProPakistani. The reforms also include the establishment of Independent Grievance Redressal and Inspection Committees and mandatory pre-shipment inspections, with the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) set to maintain a panel of independent experts to assist in evaluations and complaints. Additionally, the government plans to implement an e-Government Procurement and Disposal System (EPADS) across federal agencies by June 2027, with provincial integration targeted for December 2028.