30 January 2005	Sunday	19 Zilhaj 1425

ISLAMABAD, Jan 29: The improved macroeconomic situation of the country as reflected "positive" by international institutions and robust financial position by Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has generated unprecedented interest among the investors for PTCL.

The Privatization Commission has so far received EoIs from 14 parties for acquiring 26pc shares of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) with management control as all integrated telecom operator.

According to a handout issued here on Saturday, these 14 prospective buyers for PTCL include big names like Emirates Telecommunication Corporation (ETISALAT), UAE, Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel), Singapore, Mobile Telecommunication Co, Kuwait, MTN International (Pvt) Ltd, South Africa, Saudi Oger Limited, Saudi Arabia, China Mobile Communication Company, China, Millicom Int'I, Saudi Telecom, Saudi Arabia, Telecom Malaysia, Malaysia and other investors from the region.

PTCL is the leading provider of basic telephone services to the private sector in Pakistan with over 4.4 million telephone lines in service. Besides providing fixed line and ancillary services, PTCL owns Pakistan Telecommunication Mobile Limited, one of five GSM cellular providers in Pakistan and Paknet, a countrywide Internet service provider. Its strong financial position demonstrated during FY 2004 excluding subsidiaries as per unconsolidated financial of PTCL indicates: Revenue Rs74,124 million, operating profit: Rs41938 million, net profit after tax: Rs29,169 million, total assets: Rs141,595 million, total equity: Rs83,600 million, with a network of installed 5.27 million lines and 4.43 million access lines in service.