Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema chaired an important high-level meeting to review and deliberate upon key reforms proposed in the Public Private Partnership Authority (P3A) law, aimed at improving governance, transparency, efficiency, and implementation mechanisms for Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects in Pakistan. The meeting was attended by Advisor to the Prime Minister on Privatization Muhammad Ali, Secretary Privatization Division Hammad Shamimi, Secretary Privatization Commission Usman Akhtar Bajwa, Secretary Law and Justice Raja Naeem Akbar and senior officials of P3A, who briefed the Minister on the proposed legal and structural amendments under consideration.
During the meeting, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema emphasized the government’s commitment to introducing constructive and forward-looking reforms that would strengthen institutional performance and ensure greater transparency and accountability in PPP projects. He acknowledged the proposed amendments in the P3A law and appreciated the efforts being undertaken to improve the overall framework governing public-private partnerships in the country.
The meeting was informed that under the proposed reforms, the Cabinet Committee on Privatization will be more strengthened, while P3A will also focus on the implementation and execution of projects. It was further discussed that, in line with the directions of the Prime Minister, P3A will fall under the domain of the Privatization Division instead of the Planning Division in order to ensure better coordination, institutional alignment, and improved efficiency in handling PPP initiatives.
The proposed changes also include the development of a structured project pipeline and bidding mechanism to improve project planning and investor confidence. The new mechanism also encourages the role of business councils and chambers in the development of project pipelines.
Furthermore, a dedicated Project Development Facility is proposed to be established to support the preparation and execution of viable PPP projects. The participants were also informed that the reforms aim to strengthen troubleshooting mechanisms, enhance monitoring systems, and reinforce the advisory role relating to PPP projects for improved oversight and efficiency.
The proposed amendments further focus on streamlining access to land, electricity, and other utility facilities required for PPP initiatives, thereby facilitating smoother and faster project implementation. Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema reiterated the government’s resolve to create a modern, transparent, and investor-friendly PPP framework that supports sustainable economic development and encourages greater private sector participation in national development projects.
