CCOP APPROVES LISTING & IPO OF UBL

Islamabad, October 20, 2004

The Cabinet Committee On Privatisation (CCOP) while approving the inclusion of UBL IPO in the Privatisation Program directed the Privatisation Commission to initiate process of the listing and Initial Public Offering (IPO) of United Bank Limited (UBL) giving preference to the small applicants in line with the government's policy of Privatisation for the People. The CCOP meeting held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz here today.
The meeting approved the transaction structure for

Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) thereby allowing Privatisation Commission the sale of 51 to 73 % shares of KESC to a strategic buyer. The meeting was informed that the bidding for KESC has been scheduled in December 2004. The Prime Minister said that the privatisation of the utility was of critical importance, as the private investor would turn the company around by increasing efficiency thereby bringing relief to the consumers.

The CCOP gave go ahead for the transaction structure for privatisation of National Investment Trust Limited (NITL) with the direction that the interest of small unit holders be protected while processing the transaction. The meeting gave approval for the sale of 51 % equity of National Refinery Limited (NRL) and the sale of ICP Shell Company as an 'ongoing concern'.

The CCOP decided that the land and building of Lasbela Textile Mills may be given to Government of Baluchistan for establishing a University for Agriculture, Bio Medical and Water Sciences to meet  the educational requirements of the Province. The CCOP directed the Privatisation Commission to sell the plant and machinery of the Unit separately. Earlier, attempts to privatise the unit had not succeeded.

The meeting allowed the inclusion of Printing Corporation of Pakistan Press (Pvt) Limited (PCPL), Tomato Paste Plant, in the Privatisation Program and gave go ahead for completing the process of privatisation of International Advertising Limited (IAL).

The respective Federal Ministers, Secretaries and other officers of the concerned Ministries/Divisions attended the meeting.