The federal government has given the green light to a single-point electricity provision system for industrial units operating within the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Special Economic Zones (SEZs), a move aimed at improving efficiency, reducing delays, and curbing corruption in power supply processes.
Under this new arrangement, industrial units located inside SEZs will receive electricity through a single bulk connection and will be responsible for managing their own distribution and billing internally. This approach eliminates the direct involvement of distribution companies (DISCOs) in day-to-day electricity supply operations for these zones.
According to the Ministry of Energy, the reform is expected to significantly increase electricity sales and ensure timely provision of power connections to industries. All DISCOs have been directed to coordinate directly with the respective SEZ administrations to implement the new system.
A spokesperson for the Power Division stated that the decision will remove procedural bottlenecks and end unnecessary intervention by field staff, which has been a source of delays and rent-seeking practices in the past. By streamlining the process, the government aims to create a more business-friendly environment for both local and foreign investors operating in SEZs.
The Power Division initially submitted a request to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) on February 25 to approve the single-point supply system. Following this, NEPRA issued directives on August 11 instructing that final agreements with SEZs be concluded based on prior consultations with stakeholders.
This policy change is seen as a significant step toward fulfilling the government’s commitment to facilitate industrial growth under CPEC, promote investor confidence, and ensure uninterrupted power supply to Pakistan’s emerging industrial hubs.
