32 PARTIES TO PARTICIPATE IN BIDDING FOR SALE OF FALETTI'S HOTEL LAHORE-PRE BID MOOT ON APRIL 27

Islamabad, April 20, 2004

In response to the fresh invitation the Privatisation Commission has received 16 more Expression of Interest is from the prospective bidders for the sale of Faletti's Hotel, Lahore on 'as is where is' basis who are interested in establishing/ maintaining it a quality hotel of international repute within reasonable timeframe while ensuring that the new design of the  Hotel was in harmony with the existing architecture and preservation of its historic identity. Sixteen parties had earlier submitted EOIs for this transaction. The total number of participants expected to take part in the final bidding process has now been raised to 32.

All the potential investors have been invited to attend a pre-bid conference for better understanding of the transaction and the bidding process and to respond to the queries of the prospective bidders regarding the sale on April 27, 2004. The bidding date will also be announced after consultation with the prospective bidders in the pre-bid conference, which is expected to be held by early May 2004.

The parties which had earlier submitted EOIs included Export International, Karachi, Popular Contracting, Sialkot, Afzal & Co, Peshawar, Mohammad Khalid Randhawa, Islamabad, Associated Builders (Pvt) Limited, (Hashoo Group), Karachi, Hashwani Hotels Ltd, Islamabad, Shahid Gul & company, Karachi, Haji Saifullah & Group, Islamabad, Bahria Town (Pvt) Limited, Rawalpindi, Tourism Promotion Services (Pakistan) Limited, Karachi, TasHeel Group of Saudi Arabia, Hilton Millineum Group, USA, AMZ Securtites (Pvt) Limited, Karachi, Emirates Global Investment Limited, Sharjah, UAE, Al-Hamra Trading Co, Karachi and LYNX Trading SDN, BHD.

The new 16 entrants who have expressed their interest in the purchase of Faletti's Hotel, Lahore include M/s Mushriq TV (Pvt) Ltd Lahore, M/s Imperial Builders Karachi, PACE (Pakistan) Ltd Lahore, Hotel Crown Plaza Islamabad, Bara Ghee Mills, Bara, S.B.Technologies. LLC, Lahore, Jahangir Siddique Capital Markets (Pvt) Ltd Karachi, Pharaon Commercial Investment Group Ltd Islamabad, Haji Khadim Hussain Rawalpindi, Elite Home Fashions (Pvt) Ltd Faisalabad, Lakson Tobacco Company Limited Karachi, Sapphire Group Lahore, CooKu Enterprise Islamabad, SAS (Pvt) Ltd Islamabad, Husnain Cotex Limited Lahore and Kaston Holdings Pte. Ltd Singapore.

This prime property is ideally located in the business district, walking distance from commercial centers, the Mall, Railway and airport offices, the landmark building of the Assembly chambers, the national museum, botanical gardens, the zoo etc.

It has approximately total area of 68 kanals 11 marla 11 sq. ft. It has 44 large residential rooms, banquet hall, restaurant and facilities like tourist office, post office and travel and tour operating agencies.

Only Those prospective bidders who have submitted EOI can visit the site during working hours on any working day on prior appointment with the Privatisation Commission.