FAUJI FOUNDATION HOLDS MEETING WITH DR. HAFEEZ SHAIKH
ON PRIVATISATION OF PSO

Islamabad, October 14, 2003

A team from Fauji Foundation led by its Managing Director, Lt. Gen.(Retd) Amjad Hussain, held a meeting with Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Federal Minister for Privatisation & Investment here today in connection with the privatisation of PSO. Fauji Foundation is one of the potential bidders interested in the acquisition of PSO.

The Minister said that Pakistan State Oil (PSO) is one of the most important transactions in the current privatisation program, which includes Habib Bank, Faisalabad Area Electricity Company, Jamshoro Power Company, PTCL, Fertilizer Units etc. In this regard he reiterated Government's commitment to privatization and deregulation. He also stated that while privatizing these entities, Government would ensure that genuine national interests are safeguarded.

Dr. Hafeez Shaikh said that transparency was being observed at every stage of the privatisation process and a level playing field will be provided to local and foreign investors alike. Our target was to maximize the sale proceeds from the sale of these assets and to bring in quality players for improving the services through private sector professional management, he said.

All the substantive issues relating to the transaction had been largely resolved, he said. In this regard he appreciated the interest and commitment of the Fauji Foundation to the process and said that it would serve to encourage other local business groups to participate and avail the opportunities in the privatisation program.

Lt. Gen. (Retd) Amjad appreciated the process and the professionalism demonstrated by the Privatisation Commission and hoped that the privatisation of PSO would further develop the petroleum sector and generate new business opportunities in the country.