Power sector gets first-ever Data Governance Council to streamline data systems

ISLAMABAD: The government has established the first-ever Data Governance Council in the public sector to modernise and integrate data management across Pakistan’s power sector, marking a significant step towards digital transformation and improved decision-making.

The initiative, launched under the leadership of Federal Minister for Energy Awais Leghari, brings together representation from all key entities within the power sector, including generation companies (GENCOs), distribution companies (DISCOs), transmission firms, and regulatory bodies.

The council has been formed in consultation with the Pakistan Digital Authority, with the objective of creating a unified and standardised data ecosystem.

Centralised data system for improved governance

Officials said the council will oversee the development of a central data repository that will consolidate information from across the sector into a single, verified and reliable platform.

The system has been designed in line with the international DAMA-DMBOK framework, widely used for data governance and management best practices.

Previously, different institutions operated independent databases, often resulting in inconsistent statistics, weak quality control, and gaps in data security.

These issues, officials noted, had been contributing to contradictory reports and hampering effective planning and policy formulation in the energy sector.

With the new framework in place, stakeholders including planners, regulators, and investors will now be able to rely on a unified dataset for decision-making, enabling more accurate demand forecasting, improved infrastructure planning, and timely risk identification.

Boost to transparency and investment climate

The Power Division stated that the initiative reflects the government’s recognition of data as a national asset and a key driver of governance reform.

It added that the availability of verified and standardised data would also enhance transparency and help attract long-term foreign investment in the energy sector.

Officials further expressed confidence that the council would streamline decision-making processes and improve resource allocation across the sector, positioning Pakistan as a more reliable and investment-friendly market.

The government described the establishment of the Data Governance Council as a “historic step” towards building a more transparent, accountable, and efficient power sector governance framework.