ISLAMABAD: Privatisation Commission (PC) has informed that National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has issued final notices to defaulting buyers of various organisations under the privatisation process. During a meeting of National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Privatisation, which was held under the chairmanship of Syed Imran Ahmed Shah, Privatization Minister Daniyal Aziz said that the ministry is ready to provide all required information regarding Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) as the case regarding the closure of mill has been sent to NAB. If someone is responsible for the closure of the mill he/she should face investigation and punishment, Aziz said.
Privatisation Secretary Irfan Ali, during the meeting, informed that at least 14 institutions privatised by the government were defaulting dues to the government. Notices have been sent to the defaulting buyers of the companies, he said.
Irfan Ali informed the committee that out of $ 2.80 billion the Dubai-based Etisalat has only paid $ 1.8 billion to the government while remaining $ 800 million outstanding dues pending on account of privatisation of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) is yet to be paid. Two final notices have been sent to Etisalat so far for recovery of the dues.
He further informed the committee that at least 34 properties have not been transferred to PTCL so far.
During the meeting, Privatisation minister briefed the Committee regarding the implementation status of previous recommendations of the meetings held on November 29 and December 27, 2017. The Committee unanimously confirmed the minutes of its 3rd meeting.
Daniel Aziz also briefed that the ministry has reviewed all privatisation transactions wherein recovery of outstanding amount from the defaulter buyers, is pending, on a case to case basis.
As per law, the Final Notice to the defaulter has to be served before the matter is referred to NAB. The Committee recommended that the Ministry shall update the Committee regarding the status, replies, litigation, recovery and references to NAB regarding the outstanding amount and buyers who have defaulted.
He also briefed that a reference through National Assembly Standing Committee on Industry and Production Chairman has already been sent to NAB on December 18, 2017, regarding the Pakistan Steel Mills.
The Committee showed satisfaction in this regard and decided that no further references are required to be referred to NAB. Federal minister also briefed regarding privatisation of PTCL and addressed questions of the Committee. The Committee appreciated the overall performance of the Ministry about the recovery of amount and efforts in this regard.
It was further decided that the ministry shall brief the Committee regarding the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in its next meeting.
MNA Syed Imran Ahmad Shah, MNA Shaheen Shafiq, MNA Maiza Hameed, MNA Munaza Hassan, MNA Dr Imran Khattak and Abdul Waseem along with senior officers from the Ministry of Privatisation were also present at the meeting.
