PC BOARD GIVES GO AHEAD FOR JPC-SME BANK-HEC-NPCC
 

Islamabad, April 23, 2010


A meeting of the Privatisation Commission Board, which met under the chairmanship of Senator Waqar Ahmed Khan Federal Minister for Privatisation here today, gave, go ahead to initiate the privatisation process of Jamshoro Power Company (JPC), SME Bank and Heavy Electrical Complex (HEC).

Addressing the meeting Senator Waqar Ahmed Khan Federal Minister for Privatisation urged the members that in order to maintain utmost transparency during the process we should seek approvals at a broader forum for all transactions. For assess the real value of the entities on the Privatisation Program, third party valuation should be carried out and all phases of the process should be conducted in an open, fair and transparent manner to the satisfaction of all stakeholders, he directed.

The meeting was informed that World Bank has shown interest to fund and rehabilitate the technical potential of Jamshoro Power Company (JPC) before taking it to the market as it was done in the KAPCO transaction.

The PC Board desired to have a presentation from Finance Division regarding the utilization of privatisation proceeds. The Board also reviewed the status of the National Power Construction Company (NPCC) and decided for the revaluation of the entity.

The meeting was further informed that most recently 99 more properties in Punjab have been transferred to Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) while Etisalat was also being approached to de-list the private properties and those under litigation as to close the transaction by getting the over due remaining proceeds of US $ 799 million and to settle the issue in an amicable manner.

The PC Board reviewed the status and progress of various other ongoing and upcoming transactions. The meeting also reviewed the progress made for the implementation of Benazir Employees Stock Option Scheme (BESOS) and decided to speed up the BESOS distribution certificates in the remaining entities and establish BESOS Trusts in the remaining entities. So far under BESOS more than 40,000 workers of eight entities have received 12 % GoP shares unit certificates. This scheme is effective from August 14, 2009.

Secretary PC Mr. Shahab Khawaja, PC Board members, senior officials of the respective ministries and departments were present during the meeting.