ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin and Group CEO Etisalat Inter­national Hatem Dowidar on Wednesday agreed for the resolution of all outstanding issues between the telecommunication company and the Privatisation Commi­ssion.

The agreement was reached during the finance minister’s virtual meeting with the Group CEO, a news release issued by the Ministry of Finance said.

Mr Tarin underscored the significance of resolving outstanding issues and moving ahead for a sustainable solution with all stakeholders on board. He called for setting up a mechanism for fair assessment of properties by hiring internationally renowned evaluation companies.

Mr Tarin noted that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was one of the major economic partners of Pakistan. “The expatriates from Pakistan, settled in the UAE, contribute significantly through remittances to enhance foreign currency reserves. Pakistan attaches great value to the brotherly relations with the UAE and intended to further strengthen business and trade linkages between the two countries,” he added.

CEO Etisalat agreed with the finance minister’s suggestion and affirmed to have evaluation of properties completed within a couple of months. “Participation of Etisalat in recent auction of spectrum in Pakistan affirmed its commitment to the country’s telecommunication sector,” he added.

The virtual meeting was attended by IT Minister Syed Amin-ul-Haque, sec­retaries finance, IT, privatisation and other senior officers.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2021