Pakistan: Opposition questions privatisation of 32 entities

The opposition parties Wednesday showed their concerns and staged a symbolic walkout from the Senate against the government’s decision regarding the privatisation of 32 public sector enterprises on priority basis.

During the question hour of the Senate’s session, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Mian Raza Rabbani said that the government has decided to privatise 32 public sector enterprises without the approval of the Council of Common Interest (CCI).

“Who allowed the government to privatise the public sector enterprises,” he questioned.

Rabbani said that these enterprises were also property of the provinces but the government was taking such decisions without consulting the provincial governments.

Another PPP Senator, Syeda Sughra Imam said that these public sectors organisations were the flagship of the government and it was difficult to understand the logic behind privatising such strategic assets.

The PPP senator said that the government should review its policy regarding the privatisation of the public sector enterprises.

Earlier, Minister of State for Education, Trainings and Standards in Higher Education, Muhammad Baleeghur Rehman told the upper house that the cabinet committee on privatisation had directed the Privatisation commission to initiate the process in a phased manner.

He said that the privatisation commission had started the process with 11 public sector enterprises including PIA, UBL, HBL, ABL, OGDCL, Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), FESCO, LESCO, NPCC, Heavy Electric Complex (HEC) and TPS Muzafargarh.

“The government is offering 10 per cent shares through capital market,” the minister added.

Later, Leader of the Opposition, Senator Aitzaz Ahsan said that the ministers should address the concerns seriously as the minister has failed to mention names of the 32 public sector enterprises in the answer sheet.

He requested to Deputy Chairman Senate Sabir Baloch to defer the question due to incomplete information.