HAFEEZ TO FURTHER SPEED UP PACE OF PRIVATISATION

Islamabad, SEPTEMBER 19, 2003


The pace of privatisation should be further speeded up as the Government is determined to transfer the public sector entities to the quality players in the private sector at good price so as to build up the momentum through the completion of the privatisation of major transactions without compromising our national interest.

Senator Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, the Federal Minister for Privatisation & Investment stated this while chairing a meeting, which reviewed the status and the progress of the privatisation of various up coming public sector entities.

He said that in order to deepen and broaden the base of the capital market transactions, maximum efforts should be made to transfer the benefits of privatisation to the common man.

During the meeting it was decided that the capita market transactions focusing public offering of National Bank of Pakistan's additional shares, Sui Southren Gas Company Limited (SSGCL), Pakistan International Airline Limited (PIAL) and the initial Public offering of Oil & Gas Development company Limited (OGDCL) shares would be processed expeditiously.

While reviewing the status and the progress of various other up coming public sector entities in Power, Oil & Gas, Banking & Financial and Industries sectors the Minister directed the PC officials to take immediate steps for resolving all the relevant issue concerning Jamshoro Power Company, Faisalabad Electric Supply Company, Karachi electric Supply Company, Pakistan State Oil, Pakistan Petroleum Limited, Oil & Gas Development Company, Habib Bank Limited, Pakarab Fertilizers, Faletti's Hotel and Hyatt Regency Hotel.

The Minister directed PC officials to extend maximum support to all the prospective bidders for various transactions enabling them to proceed further towards the completion of the process and to move forward the transactions in the pipeline. In this regard he issued instructions to make arrangements for the completion of due diligence by the prospective bidders for Jamshoro Power Company within a period of two months and also organize a pre-bid for the privatisation of Habib Bank Limited in October, 2003.

The meeting was also informed that a seminar to create awareness among the stakeholders regarding the privatisation process and the success stories was being scheduled in October at Islamabad.

The senior officials and the consultants of PC attended the meeting.