Journalist Kamran Khan has urged the government to shut down loss-making state-owned enterprises, pointing to Rs833 billion in collective losses incurred by state institutions during fiscal year 2025.
Speaking on his show, Khan questioned the government’s spending and austerity measures at a time when rising petrol and diesel prices are putting pressure on the public.
He said that the government should focus on state-owned enterprises that continue to incur losses instead of asking businesses to close early.
“The most alarming picture is that of state-owned enterprises. According to the government’s own report, in fiscal year 2025, loss-making state institutions incurred a total collective loss of 833 billion rupees. This is it! Fix the situation starting from here.”
Khan added that the National Highway Authority (NHA) alone had suffered losses of around Rs295 billion.
He also pointed to losses of Rs113 billion at Quetta Electric, Rs93 billion at Peshawar Electric and Rs60 billion at Pakistan Railways.
“You are asking people to close wedding halls at 10 PM, telling them to close shopping malls, close retail shops.”
Khan further said that the government provided around Rs2,078 billion in financial assistance to state enterprises during the year through loans, subsidies, grants and equity.
“This is the real place where austerity needs to happen, where money can be saved, where conditions can improve and where relief can be provided against the 80 rupees per liter Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) that every poor Pakistani is paying.”
He called for restructuring institutions that have been operating at a loss for years and said those that can be privatised should be privatised immediately.
“Restructure the institutions that have been running in losses for years. Wherever privatization is possible, privatize them immediately. Eliminate duplicate departments, abolish unnecessary posts, end government vehicles, official residences and this protocol culture.”
