No more PTDC role in service delivery

ISLAMABAD: The Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises (CCoSOEs), chaired on Tuesday by Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, approved retention of core functions of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), while discontinuing its role in service delivery. The service delivery function will be devolved to the provinces in line with the spirit of 18th Constitutional Amendment.

The CCoSOEs also approved reducing PTDC’s Board of Directors from 18 members to six. Of these, two members will be from public sector and four from the private sector. The committee directed the ministry concerned to consult the Ministry of Law and introduce amendments under the Companies Act. Under the new arrangement, PTDC’s role will be limited to national and international branding, coordination with provinces following the 18th Amendment, and developing strategies to strengthen Pakistan’s tourism ecosystem.

According to senior officials who attended the meeting, PTDC will hire only sectoral experts, in consultation with provinces, to boost tourism in the country. The restructuring process of PTDC has begun, and selection of its Board will be carried out with the approval of CCoSOEs.

The committee reviewed and approved Procurement Policy of Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of Pakistan for 2025. The policy aims to streamline procurement operations, align them with State-Owned Enterprises Act, 2023, and ensure compliance with Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) global standards and PPRA regulations.

Additionally, the committee reviewed a business plan submitted by Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination regarding PTDC. It approved retaining PTDC’s core function as a lean, right-sized “centre of excellence” to promote Brand Pakistan, represent Pakistan internationally, and facilitate intergovernmental coordination, policy support and marketing and brand development for tourism promotion, with rationalised staff strength and a revised Board of Directors in line with governance requirements.

The committee also directed the ministry to submit a separate proposal, in coordination with Law Division, regarding funding of proposed entity and management of assets currently under PTDC.