PC BOARD DISQUALIFIES ATTOCK GROUP FOR PSO TRANSACTION

Karachi, April 5, 2007

The Board of Privatisation Commission, which met here today under the chairmanship of Mr. Zahid Hamid, Federal Minister for Privatisation & Investment decided to accept the recommendations of the Pakistan State Oil privatisation Transaction Committee for disqualification of Attock Group of Companies from participation in the privatisation process of Pakistan State Oil (PSO). This decision has been taken in accordance with PC law, rules, regulations and procedures and keeping in view the guidelines contained in the judgment of the august Supreme Court of Pakistan in the Pakistan Steel Mills case.

The decision has been taken inter-alia for non-disclosure of material information as required in the RSOQ rendering the Group liable for disqualification.

The PC Board accordingly decided to disqualify Attock Group of Companies and to reject its SoQ. On the request of some intending bidders and the recommendations of the Financial Advisor, the Board also decided to defer the bidding date by a few days, till May 19,2007.

Corresponding amendments would be made in the indicative time line issued to the pre-qualified parties by the Financial Advisor. The PC Board decided that the position would be kept under review and the tentative dates mentioned in the indicative time-line finalized accordingly.

The Board also reviewed the status of the privatisation transactions relating to the Habib Bank Limited (HBL) initial public offering (IPO), United Bank Limited (UBL)’s Global Depository Receipts (GDR) and National Investment Trust Limited (NITL).

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