The prime minister, while chairing a meeting about progress on privatisation of various government entities, said that various government entities, which were not performing well should be privatised as it would not only help in reducing the burden on the national kitty but would also procure financial resources for social and welfare uplift projects.

He ordered the authorities concerned that inter-ministerial coordination should be further improved to facilitate privatization process in an effective manner, and reiterated that privatisation of non-profit organizations and un-utilized properties was in the best interest of the country.

Privatisation Commission Secretary Rizwan Malik briefed the prime minister about the progress on privatization of various government institutions and properties.

The meeting was told that the process of privatisation of seven institutions and properties would be completed this year, which include two RLNG power plants, the SME Bank, Services International Portal Lahore, Jinnah Convention Centre Islamabad, and 27 government lands.

The prime minister was told the seven transactions would be completed by May and June of this year. The prime minister directed that all possible efforts must be taken to complete the process of privatisation within the stipulated timeframe.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Planning Asad Umar, Minister for Privatization Mian Mohammadsoomro, Finance Advisor Dr Abdul Hafiz Shaikh, Commerce Advisor Abdul Razak Dawood, Advisor on Reforms Dr Ishrat Hussain, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, and Privatisation Division secretary and senior officials.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020