PC EXTENDS SOQ DATE FOR SSGC & SNGPL

Islamabad, January 31, 2006

Owing to the overwhelming response for the privatisation of Sui Northern Gas Pipeline (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) from the prospective parties from Pakistan and abroad the Privatisation Commission (PC) has extended the last date for submission of Statement of Qualification (SOQs) for both SNGPL and SSGC to March 11, 2006. The Privatization commission had solicited Expression of Interest (EOIs) for the privatization of SNGPL an SSGC on the December 14,2005 and January 4, 2006 respectively. Earlier, the last date for submission of statement of Qualifications (SOQs) was set as February 11, 2006 for SNGPL and March 4, 2006 for SSGC. All other conditions will remain unchanged.

The Privatisation Commission invited Expression of Interest (EOI) from qualified strategic investors to divest 51% shareholding in Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC). SSGC offers significant potential for revenue and earnings growth to an investor with the resources and expertise to operate gas transmission, distribution, wholesale and retail businesses.

SSGC was formed in 1989, following a series of mergers of three pioneering companies, namely Sui Gas Transmission Company Limited, Karachi Gas Company Limited and Indus Gas Company Limited. SSGC is Pakistan's leading integrated gas company with a franchise area covering the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan serving more than 1.7 million consumers.

While Expression of Interest (EOI) were invited from qualified strategic investors to divest 51% shareholding in Sui Northern Gas Company Limited (SNGPL). SNGPL also offers significant potential for and earnings growth to an investor with the resources and expertise to operate gas transmission, distribution, wholesale and retail businesses.

SNGPL was incorporated in 1963 as a private limited company and was converted to a public company in 1964. SNGPL is the largest gas transmission and distribution company in Pakistan, with a franchise area comprising of the provinces of Punjab and North West Frontier Province (NWFP) serving more than 2.3 million consumers. The company has 41 years of experience in operation and maintenance of high-pressure gas and distribution and systems.