16 May 2004	Sunday	25 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

HARIPUR, May 15: Federal parliamentary secretary Omar Ayub said here on Saturday that denationalization of state-owned enterprises and other entities was part of the national policy but the rights of the workers would be protected and the government would not allow compulsory retirement of workers by the new investors.

The MNA was speaking to the participants of a workers' gathering at the Telephone Industries of Pakistan (Tip).

He said Tip had brought prosperity and real economic development in the area absorbing thousands of skilled and unskilled manpower of Haripur. This, he added, would be kept within the bounds of the district and would not be allowed to be shifted to some other city, rather it would be loaded to its capacity.

About the denationalization of Tip, he said though privatization was a global phenomenon and the government had to follow policies which were being practised globally, any move to deprive the workers of their right of earning livelihood by new investors would be discouraged.

Assuring the workers of their job security in case of Tip's privatization, the MNA further said it would be possible only once the demands and conditions of its workers were met and they were satisfied with the package they were supposed to be offered.

About developmental schemes he had so far got sanctioned for his constituents, Omar Ayub said a number of uplift schemes worth Rs1.32 billion, including Sui gas and electricity extension projects in different parts of the district were under progress while funds for approved project of technical institute were in the pipeline.

He expressed the hope that maximum areas of Haripur district would be provided with facilities of sui gas, electricity, telephone and other basic necessities by the end of next fiscal year.

About the deportation of PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif, he claimed that he betrayed his Saudi hosts by flying into Lahore airport.

Earlier, Tip union President Jehangir Khan and Secretary Syed Abid Shah also spoke to the gathering and demanded loading of industry to its full capacity.

They also offered to welcome new investors if the rights of the workers were protected.