LAHORE: Pakistan Steel Mills, Mari Gas Field and Convention CentreIslamabad have been among he state-owned entities that will be privatized,quoting privatization minister Muhammad Mian Soomro.

Federal Minister for Privatization Muhammad Mian Soomro was talking tomedia here in a gathering.

Soomro said that the government is implementing privatization ofstate-owned entities according to a plan denying any uncertainty in thisrespect.

The privatization of these government entities will be held according tothe relevant ordinance while keeping transparency, the minister said.

Pakistan Steel Mills, Mari Gas Field and Convention Centre Islamabad,Services Hotel, SME Bank, PPL, Guddu Power Plant and power companies havebeen in the list of 19 state-owned entities that will be offered forprivatization, Soomro said.

“The government has set a target of 100 billion rupees revenue fromprivatization of these entities this year,” privatization minister said.

Pakistan International Airlines’ Roosevelt hotel in New York will be givenon lease, the minister further said.

Two power distribution companies have also been included in theprivatization list, he said.

The government will devise a mechanism for privatization of Pakistan SteelMills. “A proposal also under consideration to sell the steel mills afterpayment of arrears against it”, the minister said.