388,500 PAKISTANIS TO BENEFIT FROM UBL IPO SUBSCRIPTION OPENING FROM FRIDAY (TOMORROW)

Islamabad, June 02, 2005

The subscription for Initial Public Offering (IPO) of United Bank Limited (UBL) shares open from June 3, (Friday) to June 8, 2005 (Wednesday) during banking hours will benefit 388,500 Pakistani citizens. Shares will be offered in lots of two hundred (200) per applicant to pass on the benefit to a large section of the general public. Continuing on the "Privatisation for the People" program of divestments shares of United Bank Limited ('UBL')
through Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad Stock Exchanges and offer 10% shares to the general public with a green shoe option of additional 5% shares. The large quantity of shares offered will also add to the liquid share float in the market and add significantly to the investor base. The application forms can be downloaded from PC web site: www.privatisation.gov.pk or from the newspapers of June 3, 2005.

In order to create awareness regarding this offer Privatisation Commission held road shows for IPO of UBL shares at Karachi, Peshawar, Hyderabad, Lahore, Quetta and Sukkur. Next Road Show scheduled on June 3, 2005 (Friday) at Serena Hotel, Faisalabad at 3 p.m, which will be participated by PC Board members and officials of PC. Privatisation Commission has appointed AKD Securities (Pvt.) Limited as the Lead Manager for the IPO of UBL shares. The listing of UBL would increase market capitalization significantly and would bring a worthwhile addition, rather a leader, to the banking sector companies listed on the stock exchanges.

The offer is being made to the general public at the rate of Rs.50/- per share. With a view to benefiting a larger cross section of the general public, only 200 shares per applicant are being offered requiring a total investment of Rs.10,000/- only. The Pakistani citizens, both, resident as well as overseas have been advised, to get their Computerized National Identity Cards (CNIC) and open their Bank and CDC accounts to avoid any inconvenience while submitting their applications. The Bankers to the offer have been issued instructions to guide and facilitate the applicants in this regard.

UBL, the third largest banks in Pakistan, was privatized in October 2002 through a strategic sale in which 51% (264.18 million) shares were transferred along with management control. 25.5% (132.09 million) shares each were acquired by the Abu Dhabi Group and the Bestway Group for a total price of Rs.12.3 billion. The Government currently holds 49% of UBL's total 518 million issued shares.