Govt could miss privatisation target of PSEs, face Rs 150b deficit

ISLAMABAD: In the wake of the fast spreading coronavirus situation in the country and travel restrictions, the Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) could miss the timeframe for privatisation of public sector entities despite commitment with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a local newspaper reported on Wednesday. 

This will create a budget deficit of Rs150 billion from privatization proceeds in 2019-20. The federal government had planned divestment of shares of six entities including Mari Petroleum, SME Bank, Guddu Power Plant, Services International Hotel, Lahore, and 27 other government properties.