Pakistan, July 13 -- The government of Pakistan provided a massive Rs616 billion in financial support to loss-making state-owned enterprises (SOEs) during the first half of the 2024-25 fiscal year, according to the Ministry of Finance. This amount included Rs113 billion in grants, Rs333 billion in subsidies-mostly for the power sector-Rs92 billion in loans, and Rs77.5 billion in equity injections.

Despite this hefty support, major SOEs recorded a combined net loss of Rs343 billion during the six-month period ending December 2024. The National Highway Authority topped the list with a loss of Rs153.3 billion, bringing its total accumulated losses to a staggering Rs1,953.4 billion. The Finance Ministry attributed the losses to an unsustaina...