34 MAJOR PLAYERS SUBMIT SOQ FOR SNGPL & SSGC PRIVATISATION

Islamabad, March 21, 2006

The Privatisation Commission (PC) has received 34 Statement of Qualification (SOQ) for pre-qualification purposes from strategic investors to divest 51% shareholding in Pakistan's two Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Company Limited (SNGPL) & Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC). For each company 17 SOQ have been received. The major players include British Petroleum, Shell Gas and Power, PTT Thailand, Enbridge Canada, MOL Hungary, Mitsui Japan, Hanover USA, Tara Energy USA, Calik Energy Turkey, Premier Oil London, Bestway UK, Burhan Oil Services Kuwait, Abu Dhabi Group, Korea Gas, etc. Some of these companies have joined hands with local groups to form consortia while others have preferred to participate on their own.

Some of the parties have expressed interest for both the Suis to increase their chances of success. It may be noted that the Privatisation Commission will not allow one party to acquire both the gas companies however one party may participate in the privatisation process for both. The process of evaluation of the SOQs has already begun and is likely to be completed by the end of April 2006. Thereafter the qualified bidders will be allowed to conduct their due diligence after due process.

Marketing efforts of the Privatisation Commission for privatisation of the two Sui Gas companies has generated tremendous interest amongst international investors, which is evident from the receipt of a large number Statements of Qualification (SOQs) for these transactions. Earlier the Privatisation Commission had conducted two road shows in Singapore and London led by Dr. Abdul Hafiz Shaikh, Minister for Privatisation and Investment and Tahsin Khan Iqbal, Secretary Privatisation Commission respectively. The PC team held joint as well as one to one meetings with major international players in the Oil and Gas sector to explain the potential for higher return on investment in these companies. The overwhelming participation by the local and international players speaks of the success & transparency of the privatisation program and the confidence of investors in the Pakistan investment climate. These transactions will go a long way in further improving Pakistan's image as a favorable investment
destination.

SoQ received for SNGPL include parties 1. MOL Hungarian Oil & Gas PLc., 2. Warid WLL/Abu Dhabi Group, 3. United Bank Limited, 4. Dawood Hercules Chemicals Limited, 5. PTT Public Company Limited (PTT), 6. MCB Bank Limited & Associates/Adamjee Insurance Company, Nishat Mills Limited, DG Khan Cement Company Limited., 7. Fauji Foundation, 8. Bestway Group (England), 9. Pakarab Fertilizers (Pvt) Limited/ Fatima Group, Arif Habib Group, Sojitz Corporation (Japan), 10. Dana Gas PJSC/ Aljomaih Group UAE, Crescent Petroleum Company International Limited, UAE., 11. Noor Financial Investment Company (Kuwait)/ National Industries Group, 12. Global Investment House ("GIH") Middle East/(KOGAS), Jahangir Siddiqui & Company Limited, 13. Al-Ghurair Investment LLC ("AGI")/Calik Energi A.S.,, 14. ENBRIDGE (Canada), 15. Aref Investment Group KSC (Kuwait) / National Gas S.A.E (NATGAS), Egypt, Burhan Oil Services Company KSCC (BOS), Kuwait, 16. BP Gas Marketing Limited (BPGML), England and 17. Premier Oil plc, England

While for SSGC the parties include 1. Warid WLL/Abu Dhabi Group, 2. Shell International Gas & Power Limited, (UAE), 3. United Bank Limited, 4. Dawood Hercules Chemicals Limited, 5. ("SAPICO")/Associated Group ("AG"), Lahore, The Hanover Company, Houston, ("KOGAS"), 6. PTT Public Company Limited (PTT) Thailand, 7. The Hub Power Company Limited/ Mitsui & Co. Limited, Japan, Gas Malaysia SDN BHD (GMSB), 8. Fauji Foundation, 9. Bestway Group (England), 10. Pakarab Fertilizers (Pvt) Limited/ Fatima Group, Arif Habib Group, Sojitz Corporation (Japan), 11. Dana Gas PJSC/Aljomaih Group UAE, Crescent Petroleum Company International Limited, UAE., 12. Noor Financial Investment Company (Kuwait)/National/ Industries Group (parent company), 13. Global Investment House ("GIH) Middle East/ Jahangir Siddiqui & Company Limited., 14. ENBRIDGE (Canada), 15. Aref Investment Group KSC (Kuwait)/ National Gas S.A.E (NATGAS), Egypt, (ii) Burhan Oil Services Company KSCC (BOS), Kuwait, 16. BP Gas Marketing Limited (BPGML), England, 17. Tara Energy, Inc., USA/
Sutton Ventures Group