CCOP APPROVES DIVESTMENT OF ADDITIONAL 3.2 % SHARES OF NBP THROUGH CAPITAL MARKET - DATA ROOM FOR HBL OPENING IN SEPTEMBER

Islamabad, August 19, 2003

The Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCOP) approved the divestment of additional 3.2 % shares of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) through Stock Market. This was decided in a meeting held under the chairmanship of the Federal Minister for Finance Mr. Shaukat Aziz here today.

The CCOP directed PC to inter alia expedite the privatisation of Pakistan State Oil (PSO), Habib Bank Limited (HBL), Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) and Jamshoro Power Company (GENCO). The CCOP further directed that the divestment of shares of various public sector entities including OGDCL, SSGC and PIA as per approved plan be accelerated. It was
noted by the CCOP that divestment of shares through Stock Exchange would help in broadening and deepening the stock market.

CCOP also approved the transaction structure for the privatisation of National Construction Limited (NCL). The meeting was informed that data room for the due diligence by the parties being pre-qualified for HBL would be opened in early September.
 
The Federal Minister for Privatisation & Investment Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and senior officials of Finance, Petroleum & Natural Resources, Privatisation
& Investment, Labour Manpower & Overseas Pakistanis, Water & Power, Industries & Production, Housing & Works, Railways, Securities Exchange Commission of Pakistan, BOI and PC attended the meeting.