PC BOARD DIRECTS FOR EVERY EFFORT TO ADHERE TO INDICATIVE TIME-LINE FOR PSO

Islamabad, March 22, 2007

A meeting of the Board of Privatisation Commission held under the chairmanship of Mr. Zahid Hamid Federal Minister for Privatisation & Investment here today directed that every effort be made to adhere to the indicative time line for the privatisation of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) issued to the interested 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 PC Board was informed that the due diligence of PSO was being carried out by the parties since March 19, 2007 and was expected to be completed by next month.

The PC Board gave approval to the recommendations of the Transaction Committees for the appointment of Financial Advisor for the Global Depository Receipts (GDR) of United Bank Limited (UBL) and for the sale of PIA-IL owned, Roosevelt Hotel, New York and allowed the PC to complete the contractual requirements.

The meeting also reviewed the progress of the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Habib Bank Limited (HBL) and directed the concerned officials to expedite completion of formalities relating to the appointment of Lead Manager.

The PC Board also reviewed the status and progress of other ongoing and upcoming entities and directed to complete them after resolving all issues.

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