logo
Privatisation agenda makes progress

Privatisation agenda makes progress

ISLAMABAD: In a significant advancement of the government's privatisation agenda, two major decisions were taken Tuesday by the Privatisation Commission Board and the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCoP), marking steady progress in key strategic transactions.
1- Prequalification of Investors for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA): The Privatisation Commission (PC) Board, in its 237th meeting held under the chairmanship of Adviser to the Prime Minister on Privatisation and Chairman, Privatisation Commission, Muhammad Ali, approved the prequalification of four interested parties for the divestment of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL).
The Board reviewed the recommendations of the Prequalification Committee based on the evaluation of Statements of Qualification (SOQs) submitted by five prospective investors, in line with technical, financial, and documentary requirements defined in the Request for Statement of Qualification (RSOQ). Following a thorough scrutiny, the following four Interested Parties have been pre-qualified:
PIA privatisation: EoIs due today for up to 100% stake
Consortium comprising Lucky Cement Limited, Hub Power Holdings Limited, Kohat Cement Company Limited, and Metro Ventures (Private) Limited.
Consortium comprising Arif Habib Corporation Limited, Fatima Fertilizer Company Limited, City Schools (Private) Limited, and Lake City Holdings (Private) Limited
Fauji Fertilizer Company Limited
Air Blue (Private) Limited
The pre-qualified parties will now proceed to the buy-side due diligence phase - a critical next step in the transparent and competitive privatisation process of PIACL.
2- Roosevelt Hotel Transaction Structure Approved:
In another major development, the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCoP) today approved the transaction structure for the Roosevelt Hotel, New York, as proposed by the Privatisation Commission Board.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Properties' auction: Bahria Town moves SC against IHC order
Properties' auction: Bahria Town moves SC against IHC order

Business Recorder

time4 days ago

  • Business Recorder

Properties' auction: Bahria Town moves SC against IHC order

ISLAMABAD: M/s Bahria Town (Private) Limited challenged the Islamabad High Court's order, allowing the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to proceed with the auction for its properties, in the Supreme Court. A division bench of IHC, comprising Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif on August 05, 25 dismissed Bahria Town's petition, through a short-impugned order; 'The injunctive order issued on 15.04.2025 passed in writ petition No. 1368 of 2025 and order dated 04.06.2025 passed in W.P No. 2248 of 2025 are hereby recalled.' M/s Bahria Town (Private) Limited, on Wednesday, through Farooq H Naek, filed an appeal against the IHC order under Article 185(3) of the Constitution. It asked the apex court that a regular bench hear the appeal, as no vires of any law have been challenged or interpretation of any constitutional provision is involved in the case. The petition raised questions whether, in view of the amended proviso to Section 25(b) of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999, the plea bargain agreement automatically becomes inoperative and unenforceable upon the accused's failure to fulfill the terms and conditions stipulated therein? Whether the NAB authorities can lawfully determine or attribute any liability arising out of a plea bargain agreement in the absence of the accused and without associating the accused in such proceedings? Whether NAB can impose any financial or legal liability upon a person without first preparing and concluding an investigation report in accordance with law? According to the petition, Zain Malik, son-in-law, was accused in three references and investigations of NAB. He later entered into plea bargain agreement with the NAB under Section 25(b) of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999. The said plea bargain agreement was duly approved by the Accountability Court, Islamabad, vide orders dated 11.08.2020 and 24.08.2020. Upon the request of Zain Malik, the petitioner/Bahria Town (Private) Limited, mortgaged its eight commercial properties (Media House, Rawalpindi; Agricultural Land, Islamabad; Bahria Town Corporate Office-I and II, Rawalpindi; Rubaish Marquee, Islamabad; Arena Cinema, Rawalpindi; Bahria Town International Academy, Rawalpindi; and Safari Club, Rawalpindi) through Memorandum of Title Deeds in favour of NAB as security for the liability of Zain Malik. Out of the eight properties, NAB released two properties (Media House and Agricultural Land) upon payment of two installments by Zain Malik, while six properties still remained mortgaged in favour of the NAB. Zain Malik failed to make further payments in accordance with the terms of the plea bargain agreement which were duly approved by the Accountability Court, Islamabad. As a consequence of this non-compliance, the plea bargain agreement automatically became inoperative with respect to the rights and obligations of the parties. It said that despite amended Section 25(i) of National Accountability (Second Amendment) Act, 2022, the NAB vide letter dated 6-2-2024 called upon Zain Malik to appear in person and justify the reason of delay of payment of outstanding installments in compliance of plea bargain agreement and orders of Accountability Court I, Islamabad. The petitioner being aggrieved by the actions of the NAB, approached the Accountability Court (AC), Islamabad, seeking cancellation and withdrawal of the impugned notices and letter. However, the AC the application on 19-03-25. The petitioner then challenged the Accountability Court's order before the IHC, which on 15-04-25 passed restraining order. However, the IHC on August 5, 25 dismissed the petition through short impugned order. Farooq H Naek contended that the IHC order infringing upon the petitioner's proprietary rights and violating the applicable statutory and constitutional provisions. It shows that it has been passed in a mechanical manner and the Honourable High Court, Islamabad has ignored all the material attached with the writ petition and the relevant law regarding the subject matter, he added. It said that the courts below ignored the fact that the NAB is unlawfully attempting to impose its illegal demand upon the petitioner without any legal justification, while acting beyond its legal authority and disregarding the law and constitutional guarantees under the constitution. It prayed that leave to appeal against the impugned order dated 05.08.2025, passed by IHC may very kindly be granted. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

PM appoints Asif, Amir to PC Board
PM appoints Asif, Amir to PC Board

Business Recorder

time5 days ago

  • Business Recorder

PM appoints Asif, Amir to PC Board

ISLAMABAD: The prime minister has appointed Asif Ali Qureshi and Amir Shehzad as members of the Privatisation Commission Board, bringing exceptional expertise in investment, finance, and corporate leadership to advance the government's privatisation agenda. Qureshi is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) from CFA Institute, USA, with an MA in International Financial Analysis from Newcastle University, UK, and an MBA (Finance) from Quaid-i-Azam University. He is currently CEO of UBL Fund Managers Limited and has served as Director of the Mutual Funds Association of Pakistan (MUFAP) and CFA Society Pakistan. Govt appoints two new members to Privatisation Commission Board He brings vast experience in Pakistan's banking and financial sector, and deep understanding of the energy sector which is an important pillar of Government's Privati-sation programme. Amir Shehzad holds an Executive Leadership Program certificate from Cornell University, USA, and a BS in Finance (Cum Laude) from Arizona State University, USA. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

Govt appoints two new members to Privatisation Commission Board
Govt appoints two new members to Privatisation Commission Board

Business Recorder

time5 days ago

  • Business Recorder

Govt appoints two new members to Privatisation Commission Board

The federal government has appointed Asif Ali Qureshi and Amir Shehzad as members of the Privatisation Commission Board, aiming to strengthen the body's strategic and technical capabilities, the Ministry of Privatisation said on Tuesday. Qureshi, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with an MA in International Financial Analysis from Newcastle University, UK, and an MBA in Finance from Quaid-i-Azam University, currently serves as CEO of UBL Fund Managers Limited. He has also held positions at the Mutual Funds Association of Pakistan (MUFAP) and CFA Society Pakistan, bringing extensive experience in banking, finance, and the energy sector. Shehzad, who holds an Executive Leadership Program certificate from Cornell University, USA, and a BS in Finance (Cum Laude) from Arizona State University, is Chairman of Unity Foods Limited. His career includes roles as Director and Group Senior Executive at Unity Foods and EVP & Head of Investment Banking at Askari Bank Limited, with experience spanning FMCG, banking, agri-business, and private equity. The ministry stated that the appointments will enhance the commission's institutional capacity and support more effective decision-making and the execution of privatisation transactions in line with the government's strategic objectives.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store