KARACHI, Feb 24: Karachi Stock Exchange chairman Arif Habib on Tuesday observed that record number of 258,000 applications received from the general public for subscription to the shares of Sui Southern Gas Company had shown growing interest of small investors in equities.

In a statement released by the KSE on Tuesday, Mr Habib stated that the SSGC issue had been oversubscribed by 15 times, for which he complimented Privatization and Investment Minister Dr Abdul Hafiz Sheikh who was pursuing a policy of privatization that went to transmit benefits of the privatization to the small investor.

Mr Habib said that it would help government in realising its objective of further broadening and strengthening the base of capital market in the country. "KSE would continue its full support to the government's endeavour to improve national economy and make the privatization programme a success," said the KSE chairman.