LAHORE, May 5: The government led by Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali has undertaken a record privatisation of Rs4 billion in its initial months which is unprecedented as compared to any previous track record, said Privatisation Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh.

Talking to reporters informally after inaugurating the 8th National Exhibition of Visual Arts, the minister said that Rs4 billion privatisation includes that of Rs 3bn through stock exchange divestment and Rs1 billion through direct sale of ICP Mutual Fund.

The minister assured that the pace of privatization would be accelerated in due course.

He said bidding date for PSO would be announced within next 2 weeks.

To another question, he said for the successful privatization of Habib Bank Ltd, electricity supplying networks and telecommunications, the government wants best bidders to come forward, adding that after taking careful steps, expression of interest for the same would be invited by June 30.

Prince Karim Aga Khan who visited Pakistan only recently has also shown interest in HBL, he said. He added that efforts were being made to attract bidders also from Malaysia and the Middle East.—APP