HAFEEZ DIRECTS PC TO FINALIZE ARRANGMENTS FOR UBL-SLIC IPOs

Islamabad, March 17, 2005

Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh Federal Minister for Privatisation & Investment has  directed the Privatisation Commission officials to complete all arrangements for launching the Initial Public Offerings of United Bank Limited and State Life Insurance Co. (SILIC) within the stipulated time with proper sequencing and periodicity. He was chairing a meeting of PC officers and consultants to review the status and progress of the privatisation process of on going and upcoming transactions here today.

Dr. Hafeez Shaikh said that the government was determined to transfer the benefits of privatisation to the maximum citizens of Pakistan under the slogan, 'Privatisation for the People', which has so far benefited 716,000 common citizens through appreciation in the value of the shares and the dividend received by them on the shares acquired by them under this program in OGDCL, SSGC, PPL and KAPCO.

The Minister was informed that the KAPCO shares were being dispatched to the successful applicants, which would be completed by end-March 2005 while refunds to unsuccessful applicants have almost been completed. A.K D. Securities have been appointed Lead Manager for the UBL IPO while process is under way to appoint Lead Manager for the SLIC IPO.

Dr. Shaikh gave instructions to the concerned officials to finalize the arrangements for holding bidding for Pak Arab Fertilizers Limited, Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) and Jamshoro Power Company (JPC) at their earliest.

The meeting also reviewed the status and the progress of the privatisation  process of PTCL, NRL and PSO.