LAHORE, Nov 24: Talks were in progress with Etisalat and hopefully matters regarding the PTCL deal would be sorted out amicably, Privatization and Investment Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh said in reply to a newsman’s query after a book launching ceremony on Thursday.

Regarding the privatization of PSO, he said a pre-bidding conference would be held in about three weeks time following which its bidding date would be finalized.

The minister said pointed out that in the privatization of Wapda companies, issues like interest of consumers and regulations were involved. However, he said: “Following the disinvestment of KESC, we have got experience and investors now know that we are serious in the privatization of power companies.”

In reply to a query about the sell-off of Faisalabad Electric Supply Company, he said work in this regard was in progress.

Dr Hafeez said the privatization process had yielded Rs290 billion during the last two-and-a-half years as against only Rs60 billion during its first 10 years. In this connection, he referred to the privatization of KESC, Pak Arab Fertilizer, Mustehkam Cement, Javedan Cement and National Refinery and added that these transactions had improved the image of the country at the international level.—APP