A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises has emphasized the effective governance of SOEs to ensure their contribution to national development objectives.

The meeting was held in Islamabad today with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in the chair.

On this occasion, the Ministry of Communications presented a proposal regarding the categorization of the National Highway Authority as an essential State-Owned Enterprise due to its involvement and its critical role in implementing government policies with significant security, social, and economic impacts. 

After careful consideration, the Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises approved the proposal, categorizing the NHA as an essential SOE.

It also proposed the categorization of the Pakistan Post Office Department as a strategic and essential State-Owned Enterprise. 

Similarly, the Ministry of Defence Production submitted a proposal regarding the strategic categorization of Defence Production Establishments, including entities like Pakistan Ordnance Factories, Heavy Industries Taxila, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works, National Radio Telecommunication Corporation and Telephone Industries of Pakistan.

Additionally, the Ministry of Energy (Power Division) presented a proposal for the reconstitution of the Boards of Directors of the Central Power Purchasing Agency Guarantee Ltd, Power Planning and Monitoring Company, and Power Information Technology Company.

The Ministry of Water Resources also submitted a proposal to categorize the Water and Power Development Authority as a strategic or essential SOE.

After deliberation, the Committee decided to categorize WAPDA as an essential SOE. It was further directed that WAPDA align its governing Act in consonance with the SOEs Act.