ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari on Tuesday expressed optimism that the first 200-megawatt (MW) electricity transaction under Pakistan’s newly launched Competitive Market Operations Date (CMOD) regime will be finalised by June this year.
Speaking at the CMOD declaration ceremony, the minister described the upcoming transaction as a historic milestone in the country’s long-awaited transition towards a competitive electricity market. He noted that although the concept of a competitive power market was approved in the early 1990s, practical groundwork only began in 2016-17, reflecting significant governance delays.
“When you conceptualise something in 1992 and only begin serious implementation nearly two decades later, it highlights the structural challenges within our governance framework,” he observed.
The symbolic activation of CMOD was jointly performed by Mr Leghari and Secretary Power Division Dr Muhammad Fakhre Alam Irfan.
The minister termed the reform process a collective institutional achievement and appreciated the contributions of the Power Division, regulators, and market institutions. He underscored that effective policymaking depends on strong collaboration between political leadership and senior officials.
“This is not just a formality. It demonstrates that leadership at both political and administrative levels plays a crucial role. The intellectual input we receive and the way we jointly work towards implementation are critical for public welfare,” he said.
Mr Leghari also acknowledged the prime minister’s continued support, stating that the reform could not have reached the implementation phase without sustained political backing.
Highlighting pending issues, he said certain procedural and regulatory matters — including the determination of wheeling charges — are still under consideration, with a summary already moved to the prime minister. He expressed confidence that auction-related transactions would gain momentum after April.
“We expect the first 200MW transaction to be completed by June. It has taken 20 to 25 years of discussions and effort. Achieving this will mark a major step forward,” he added.
The minister further expressed hope that the shift from a wholesale to a retail electricity market would progress more swiftly than previous reforms, stressing the importance of adopting global best practices instead of relying on trial-and-error approaches.
Certificates were also distributed among senior officials in recognition of their role in advancing the reform process.
