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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 183 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
PM SHEHBAZ CALLS PRIVATIZATION OF LOSS-MAKING SOES TOP PRIORITY, ORDERS FAST-TRACK REFORMS IN PC
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ORDERS ACCELERATION OF PACE OF REFORMS WITHIN PRIVATISATION COMMISSION TO ENSURE EFFICIENCY, TRANSPARENCY AND CREDIBILITY IN PRIVATIZATION PROCESS
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CALLS FOR INDUCTION OF BEST AVAILABLE TALENT INTO PRIVATIZATION COMMISSION FROM PRIVATE SECTOR
PM DIRECTS FULL DIGITIZATION OF THE PRIVATIZATION COMMISSION ISLAMABAD Mian abrar
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reiterated that the privatization of lossmaking state-owned enterprises (SOEs) remains one of the government’s foremost priorities, underscoring that the successful privatization of 75 percent shares of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) marked the first drop of rain in a broader reform agenda. Chairing a high-level meeting on the affairs of the Privatization Commission at the Prime Minister’s House, the prime minister directed that the pace of reforms within the Commission be further accelerated to ensure efficiency, transparency and credibility in the privatization process. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that the Privatization Commission must be strengthened by inducting the best available talent from the private sector and the market. He categorically instructed that all appointments be carried out in a highly transparent manner. Stressing the need for modern governance practices, he also directed the complete digitization of the Privatization Commission. The prime minister further ordered that all privatization projects be subjected to third-party audits conducted by firms of international repute. He also called for significant improvement in the Commission’s public relations and marketing functions to ensure effective communication with stakeholders and the market. During the meeting, participants were briefed on the ongoing reform initiatives in the Privatization Commission. The briefing informed that advisers
from the market would be hired in key areas including finance, human resources, law, information technology and media management. In addition, consultants specializing in strategy, policy, transactions and the power sector would be engaged to support the Commission’s mandate. PM Shehbaz Sharif was apprised that the reforms are anchored in strategic discipline, strong governance, enhanced institutional capacity, and transparent engagement with stakeholders. The meeting was informed that the privatization of electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) has been planned in two initial batches. In the first batch, Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO) and Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) will be privatized. The second batch will include Hyderabad Electric
Supply Company (HESCO) and Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO). The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Federal Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Privatization and Chairman of the Privatization Commission Muhammad Ali, along with senior government officials. PM directs for preparing comprehensive strategy to boost agri exports Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed authorities to formulate a comprehensive five-year strategy to boost agricultural exports. He emphasized that reforming the agriculture sector and educating farmers on international standards were top priorities of the government. The prime minister was chairing a meeting of a Working Group comprising private sector experts.
The working group was established to align the agriculture sector with the international requirements and to increase the country’s agriculture exports. “The federal government, within its own jurisdiction, is undertaking reforms in the agriculture sector and, in collaboration with provincial governments, is taking measures to promote agricultural development,” the prime minister said adding that the government was taking measures to increase the per acre yield of the crops by providing farmers with standard seeds, fertilizers and pesticides timely and at affordable prices. PM Shehbaz Sharif pointed out that the government was also taking policylevel steps aimed at processing of the agriculture produce to make them exportready goods. Recently, he said the 1000 Pakistani students had been sent to China at government expenses to train them on the modern agriculture technology. Pakistan has great potential in the agriculture sector, the prime minister said, adding that, within available resources, investment was being made in research for agricultural development in order to increase per-acre yield. He also emphasized that the government was taking measures to increase the export of the fisheries and horticulture products. He directed the relevant authorities to present the policy measures to produce palm oil along the coastal belt. The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Dr Musadik Malik, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar, and senior government officials.
Rana Sanaullah claims PM’s multiple talks offers met with PTI founder’s refusal ISLAMABAD
Staff CorreSpondent
Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah said on Tuesday that the PTI founder and his wife must strictly abide by court decisions, stressing that no individual is above the law. Speaking to the media, Rana Sanaullah said that the IHC had clearly defined the procedure for meetings with the PTI founder. He added that during the most recent meeting, the PTI founder and his wife were present together, and there should be no doubts regarding the government’s intentions in this matter. He stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had repeatedly offered dialogue to PTI, including from the floor of the National Assembly on two occasions, followed by another invitation during a cabinet meeting. According to Rana Sanaullah, despite these offers, PTI leaders claim they lack the authority to engage in negotiations. Rana Sanaullah said the prime minister makes such offers only after consulting the establishment and party leadership. He criticised PTI’s stance, saying that whenever the party announces a protest movement, it accuses the government of proposing talks to avoid pressure. He remarked that PTI was free to proceed with its planned “wheel-jam” protest in February if it wished. He further said that PTI has again demanded meetings before considering talks, despite the prime minister already extending an offer for negotiations. Rana Sanaullah claimed the PTI founder has consistently avoided dialogue and is unwilling to sit at the negotiation table. Recalling past events, he said the PTI founder showed a similar attitude during his tenure as prime minister, often rejecting dialogue and refusing to engage with political opponents.