PTCL BEING COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER

Islamabad, August 31, 2005

A meeting of the Board of the Privatisation Commission was held today under the chairmanship of Minister for Privatisation & Investment, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh to review and discuss the status of various on going and upcoming transactions of Privatisation Program.

The PC Board decided to invite Expression of Interest (EOI) for the privatisation of ICP Shell Company. The implementation status of the decisions taken for certain transactions was also reviewed.

While addressing the meeting Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh said that we were progressing satisfactorily towards the execution of Privatisation Program, which was attracting the local and foreign investors in all sectors. We have achieved the target of credibility and transparency of our privatisation process, which has boosted the investors' confidence and interest in Pakistan, he said.

He added that Pakistan would continue to facilitate the investors at home and from abroad while providing a level playing field to both and without any discrimination between them.

The PC board discussed the matters pertaining to the privatisation of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) and Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC). The meeting was informed that the remaining process of the privatisation of PTCL would be completed in September 2005. The Board also recommended to accelerate the process of ther privatisation of Javedan Cement Limited (JCL) and Carrier Telephone Industry (CTI).

Members of the Board of the Privatisation Commission, senior officials of the respective Ministries and departments attended the meeting.