ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has awarded Rs12.67 billion ($45 million) in contracts to domestic manufacturers for power transmission equipment, achieving cost savings of around 40 percent compared to imports, in a major boost to industrial self-reliance.
Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari termed the initiative a “transformative success,” highlighting its role in reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and conserving valuable foreign exchange.
The contracts, issued by the National Grid Company (NGC), represent one of the largest locally sourced procurements in the transmission sector. They were awarded through competitive bidding to leading firms, including Fast Cables, Newage Cables, and Pakistan Cables, following relaxed qualification requirements under NGC policy.
In parallel, educational orders aimed at building technical capacity were issued to several firms, including Telephone Industries of Pakistan, Qaswa Industries, Creative Electronics, KBK Electronics, and Accurate, alongside Fast Cables and Pakistan Cables.
The minister emphasized that the initiative validates the government’s indigenisation strategy, noting that future procurement will increasingly prioritize local manufacturers to drive industrial growth and reduce costs. He described the policy as a cornerstone for export-led expansion, particularly in sectors such as steel, cables, and conductors, where domestic capabilities have significantly improved.
Officials said the framework integrates technology transfer through educational orders, joint ventures with international partners, and the establishment of local subsidiaries. So far, nine educational orders worth approximately Rs900 million have been issued, with 11 companies currently being developed under a formal capacity-building pipeline.
Beyond cost efficiency, the shift toward domestic sourcing is expected to ease pressure on foreign exchange reserves—an ongoing challenge for Pakistan’s economy—while also accelerating project timelines for critical grid infrastructure, supporting faster energy sector development.
Story by Israr Khan
