Govt presents list of state-owned units up for privatisation

The government on Wednesday tabled in the National Assembly a list of 25 state-owned units which will be handed over to the private sector through privatization, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Federal Minister for Privatisation Abdul Aleem Khan presented the list in the House.

These state united included Services International Hospital Lahore, Jinnah Convention Centre Islamabad, PIA’s Roosevelt Hotel New York, Pakistan International Airlines, Pakistan Reinsurance Company, State Life Insurance Corporation, House Building Finance Corporation, First Woman Bank, Sindh Engineering Limited, Pakistan Engineering Company, Balloki Power Plant, Haveli Bahadur Power Plant, Guddu Power Plant, Nandipur Power Plant and power distribution companies of Faisalabad, Islamabad, Lahore, Gujranwala, Multan, Peshawar, Hyderabad, Quetta, Sukkur and tribal electric supply companies.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had instructed the Privatisation Commission to carry out the privatization of all state-owned enterprises (SOEs), excluding the strategic ones, regardless of their profitability or financial losses.

The prime minister, chairing a high-level meeting to review the matters related to the Ministry of Privatisation and Privatisation Commission, had directed all the federal ministries to carry out the necessary procedures and extend their cooperation to the Privatisation Commission for the purpose.

In the meeting, the Privatisation Ministry and the Privatisation Commission presented a roadmap for the Privatization Programme 2024-29.

Shehbaz Sharif said the government had nothing to do with running the businesses but was mandated to facilitate the investors. He viewed that the privatisation of SOEs would save the taxpayers’ money to help the government provide quality services to the people.

NA continues debate on President’s address

The National Assembly on Wednesday continued discussion on the President’s address to the joint sitting of the Parliament.

Participating in the debate, Awais Haider said special emphasis should be given for the development of backward areas. He stressed allocation of extra funds for such areas.

Shagufta Jumani said President Asif Ali Zardari has always pursued the course of reconciliation. She pointed out that it was President Zardari who handed over his powers to the Parliament.

Aniqa Mehdi said steps should be taken to address the problems of farmers.

In her remarks, Asiya Naz Tanoli, said that a particular political party had made big claims of transforming Pakistan, but failed to deliver every promise. She said it is the same party which promoted the politics of hate and intolerance i the society.

Earlier, at the outset the House offered fateha for Major Babar Khan who embraced martyrdom in exchange of fire with terrorists in Zhob.

Reporter Usman Khan