ISLAMABAD – Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology andTelecommunications (IT&T) was informed that a Dubai-based Etisalatdelegation is expected to visit Pakistan this month to re-initiate talks toresolve much-awaited US $799 million outstanding dues on account ofprivatization of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL).
The parliamentary panel met with Rubina Khalid in chair here was alsoinformed that “We have re-initiated process to materialize outstanding dueson account of PTCL privatization and would try to find a middle way forearly resolution of the matter.”
Senators including Dr Ashok Kumar, Kamran Micheal, Mian Muhammad AteeqShaikh, Maulana Ghafoor Haideri, Taj Muhammad Afridi, Fida Muhammad, Engr.Rukhsana Zubairi, Rehman Malik, Ghous Muhammad Khan Niazi, Tahir Bazinjo,Secretary Privatization Commission, Irfan Ali and representatives ofMinistry of IT and PTCL attended the meeting.
Secretary Privatization Commission briefed the committee and said besidesfocusing on new privatization policy of the government “We are in processof settling issues of PTCL and K-Electric.”
He said the Commission was moving towards resolution of these issues whichwould definitely boost investors confidence.
He said out of US $2.60 billion, the Dubai-based Etisalat had paid US$1.8 billion to the government while remaining US $799 million outstandingdues pending on account of privatization of PTCL have not been paid so far.
According to the secretary, out of roughly 3384 properties of PTCL 34could not be transferred by Pakistan and the entity has been informed aboutit.
The UAE telecom giant Etisalat has agreed to evaluate value of 34properties which have not been transferred to the company.
The committee also discussed matter of non-payment of increased pension tothe pensioners of PTCL by Pakistan Telecommunication Employees Trust (PTET)as announced by the government from time to time.