A recent report released under the conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has painted a grim picture of the financial health of state-owned enterprises.

According to the report issued by the Ministry of Finance, the cumulative losses of over 15 government-run institutions have exceeded Rs59 trillion.

The report states that pension-related liabilities have reached Rs17 trillion, while circular debt owed by state institutions has risen to Rs49 trillion.

The largest share of this debt belongs to the power sector, amounting to Rs24 trillion.

The data reveals that the National Highway Authority (NHA) has incurred a total loss of Rs1,953 billion.

The Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) reported losses of Rs58.1 billion over the last six months.

KESCO recorded losses of Rs770.6 billion, while PESCO reported Rs684.9 billion in losses.

Similarly, SEPCO recorded a six-month loss of Rs29.6 billion, with total losses amounting to Rs472.99 billion.

Pakistan Steel Mills suffered a six-month loss of Rs15.6 billion and overall losses of Rs255.82 billion.

Pakistan Telecommunication Company (PTCL) reported six-month losses of Rs7.19 billion and total losses of Rs43.57 billion.

The report further reveals that in just the first six months of the last fiscal year, the losses of state-owned enterprises increased by an additional Rs3.45 trillion.

These figures not only highlight the financial imbalance but also cast serious doubt on the performance of government-run entities.

Economic experts argue that the data underscores the need for the government to make tough decisions regarding reforms, transparency, and privatisation to ease the burden on the national exchequer.