ISLAMABAD: The Board of the Privatisation Commission approved the appointment of financial advisers for the divestment of Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd (ZTBL) on Thursday, marking it as one of the government’s priority transactions in the current privatisation pipeline.
The decision made during a board meeting led by Muhammad Ali, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Privatisation, represents a significant advancement in the divestment process.
It said the appointment of a top-tier consortium reflects the government’s commitment to carrying out the transaction in a professional, transparent, and timely manner.
Following a competitive and transparent bidding process, a consortium led by Next Capital Ltd was selected as financial adviser for the ZTBL transaction. The consortium also includes Ijaz Ahmed & Associates (Legal), Baker Tilly Mehmood Idrees Qamar (Accounting & Tax), Executives Network International (HR), Bridge Public Relations (Media), Savills Pakistan Pvt Ltd (Real Estate Valuation), and Prima Global Consulting Pvt Ltd (Actuarial).
The winning consortium achieved the highest technical and financial score among six competing bidders, which included other leading groups headed by Arif Habib Ltd, AF Ferguson, AKD Securities Ltd, Bridge Factor, and JS Bank.
The board also approved the formation of a Negotiation Committee to finalise the Financial Advisory Services Agreement with the selected consortium.
Founded in 1961 as the ADBP, it was renamed and incorporated as Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd in 2002 under the Companies Ordinance 1984. The bank offers agricultural credit and banking services to farmers nationwide and remains Pakistan’s largest public-sector agri lender.
Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2025