August 24, 2002	Saturday	Jamadi-us-Saani 14, 1423

ISLAMABAD, Aug 23: The government is expected to offer early next month another 10 per cent shares of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) to the general public through stock market at market rate, official sources told Dawn.

The Privatization Commission Board led by Privatization Minister Altaf M. Saleem would meet here on Saturday to approve date to float the NBP shares. Earlier, the Privatization Commission had offered 10 per cent shares to general public through initial public offering at par value.

The board would also approve criteria for the pre-qualification of potential bidders of Habib Bank Limited (HBL) as around 10 bidders have so far expressed their interest in the bank. The pre-qualification criteria for the potential bidders of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and National Investment Trust Limited (NITL) would also be approved by the board.

The board is also expected to approve the timetable and other modalities for the sale of 26 per cent government shares in Pakistan Oilfields Limited (POL) and 51 per cent shares of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) as a single entity.

The board would also consider privatization of Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco) and Jamshoro Thermal Power Station.