29 February 2004	Sunday	08 Muharram 1425

ISLAMABAD, Feb 28: Federal Minister for Industries and Production Liaquat Ali Jatoi has desired that Pakistan Steel should work for achieving a profit of up to Rs3 billion during the next fiscal.

He said this while presiding over a meeting on operational affairs, present sales, profit, liabilities and expansion plan of Pakistan Steel.

The Minister appreciated the Pakistan Steel that it was crossing Rs2 billion profit limit in the current fiscal, which he said, was undoubtedly unprecedented.

Pakistan Steel was a national asset, which was making significant contribution in the GNP, he said.

The Minister stated that the matter regarding outstanding liabilities like Rs7.67 billion interest money, Rs1.5 billion contributed by Pakistan Steel to finance the voluntary retirement facility approved by the government and Rs 0.52 billion payment dispute with HBFC would be taken up with Finance Ministry and assured to settle it.

The minister assured the Chairman of his full support to run this mega industrial setup without any political and other interference. The Minister went on to say that he considered himself a member of the steel family and would be available to extend any help any time.-APP