Progressing Privatisation

Preparing to sell the family silver

The Privatization Commission’s Board on Thursday met and took decisions to expedite the privatization of the House Building Finance Corporation, Pakistan International Airlines, and three international airports, those at Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. While HBFC and PIA are at an advanced stage of sell-off, the airports are next. All the decisions of the Board are to be ratified by the Cabinet Committee on Privatization, and then by the full Cabinet itself, but they are expected to go through as recommended.

HBFC is the closest to being privatized, through  a negotiated sale to a single pre-qualified bidder approved in July 2023, to the Pakistan Mortgage Refinance Corporation Limited. It would be more in the nature of a merger, for the PMRCL is itself over 43 percent owned by government entities (the Finance Ministry and National Bank), and 0.16 percent of its shares are owned by HBFC itself. The Board set a reference price, which will be compared to the reference price submitted by the PMRCL. It may be remembered that when the government tried to sell PIA last year, it received only one bid, of $36 million, which was far below the reference price of $305 milllion, so the sale fell through. This time around, there is a great effort at making the sale, which may explain why the Board allowed the addition of AKD Group Holdings to join the consortium headed by Arif Habib Corporation. With the auction date not set, but to take place before the end of the year, bringing in the AKD Group would be cutting a little fine. The decision to sell off the airports management ahead of p;ower distribution companies is a little puzzling, for the government had announced that it would sell off a number of distribution companies this year.

The government’s seriousness in selling off the family silver is less out of ideological commitment than because of a commitment with the IMF. It is true that the government has no business in the business of business, but the government needs to ensure that it is not carrying out privatizations just because the IMF told it to do so. For example, now that PIA has turned a profit, the rationale for privatizing it, to get away from the losses it makes, is a little lost. It should not be forgotten that once an asset is sold, it has gone forever, and there no chances of benefiting from it.

Editorial
Editorial
The Editorial Department of Pakistan Today can be contacted at: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk.

27 COMMENTS

  1. Wow, this article is mind-blowing! The author has done a phenomenal job of conveying the information in an compelling and educational manner. I can’t thank her enough for offering such valuable insights that have definitely enlightened my understanding in this topic. Bravo to her for creating such a masterpiece!

  2. Appreciating the commitment you put into your website and in depth information you present. It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same out of date rehashed material. Excellent read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.

  3. There are definitely quite a lot of details like that to take into consideration. That is a nice point to deliver up. I supply the thoughts above as general inspiration however clearly there are questions just like the one you bring up the place crucial thing will be working in sincere good faith. I don?t know if greatest practices have emerged round issues like that, but I’m sure that your job is clearly recognized as a fair game. Both boys and girls really feel the impression of only a second?s pleasure, for the rest of their lives.

  4. Amazing blog! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? I’m hoping to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you suggest starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m completely confused .. Any recommendations? Thanks a lot!

  5. Superb site you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any discussion boards that cover the same topics talked about in this article? I’d really like to be a part of online community where I can get opinions from other experienced individuals that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Thanks a lot!

  6. I will also like to say that most individuals that find themselves without the need of health insurance are generally students, self-employed and people who are out of work. More than half of those uninsured are under the age of Thirty-five. They do not feel they are looking for health insurance since they are young plus healthy. Their income is often spent on housing, food, plus entertainment. A lot of people that do work either 100 or in their free time are not supplied insurance by way of their work so they go without as a result of rising cost of health insurance in the country. Thanks for the tips you write about through this website.

  7. Also I believe that mesothelioma cancer is a unusual form of cancers that is usually found in those people previously familiar with asbestos. Cancerous tissue form within the mesothelium, which is a protective lining that covers many of the body’s internal organs. These cells commonly form inside the lining with the lungs, tummy, or the sac that really encircles one’s heart. Thanks for revealing your ideas.

  8. Thanks for the strategies you reveal through this website. In addition, quite a few young women who become pregnant will not even attempt to get health insurance because they dread they wouldn’t qualify. Although a lot of states at this moment require that insurers give coverage no matter the pre-existing conditions. Prices on these guaranteed plans are usually bigger, but when considering the high cost of health care it may be the safer route to take to protect the financial future.

  9. The things i have usually told people today is that when you are evaluating a good online electronics retail outlet, there are a few issues that you have to consider. First and foremost, you want to make sure to locate a reputable plus reliable retailer that has enjoyed great reviews and scores from other shoppers and market sector advisors. This will ensure that you are getting along with a well-known store that provides good services and assistance to it’s patrons. Thank you for sharing your ideas on this site.

  10. I really believe that a property foreclosure can have a significant effect on the debtor’s life. Foreclosures can have a 7 to ten years negative affect on a client’s credit report. Any borrower who may have applied for home financing or almost any loans as an example, knows that the actual worse credit rating is usually, the more hard it is to acquire a decent bank loan. In addition, it may possibly affect the borrower’s chance to find a decent place to let or hire, if that results in being the alternative housing solution. Thanks for your blog post.

  11. you are really a good webmaster. The website loading velocity is incredible. It sort of feels that you are doing any unique trick. Moreover, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve performed a wonderful task on this topic!

  12. Can I simply say what a aid to find somebody who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know the best way to bring an issue to light and make it important. More individuals must learn this and perceive this facet of the story. I cant imagine youre no more popular since you positively have the gift.

  13. Does your site have a contact page? I’m having a tough time locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an e-mail. I’ve got some ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it develop over time.

Leave a Reply to headquarterscomplaints.com Cancel reply

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Must Read

PTI alleges ‘abduction and torture’ of lawyer Ali Zaman, slams ‘collapse...

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday strongly condemned the alleged abduction and assault of Supreme Court lawyer Ali Zaman and his brother Wasim Zaman,...

Epaper_26-02-11 LHR

Epaper_26-02-11 KHI

Epaper_26-02-11 ISB