Privatisation minister highlights PIA/PSM to Japan

ISLAMABAD: Japanese ambassador Takashi Kurai called on privatisation minister Daniyal Aziz on Wednesday, Aziz apprised Kurai about Pakistan’s privatisation programme, he encouraged Japan to look into investment in areas of transport, manufacturing, energy, financial institutions, infrastructure and participate in the open and transparent privatisation transactions, especially highlighted two public entities Pakistan international airlines (PIA) and Pakistan steel mills (PSM) as the two biggest challenges in need of revival for profit-making.

According to an official statement, Kurai said that the Japanese government desires to cement ties between the two countries through mutual trade and business ventures.

There are possibilities of cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure, energy and security, Kurai mentioned.

Aziz welcomed the Japanese interest in Pakistan’s economy and prospects of mutual cooperation thereof. He appreciated the Japanese assistance in energy sector, back in 2015.

He said that there are certain structural issues which need to be tackled in order to move towards smooth transition to privatisation.

Privatisation commission is giving top priority to all employees’ related issues of PSM and PIA.

In case of PIA there existed a law and the incumbent government is following the law in letter and spirit, Aziz said and added that there is a resistance from the opposition as certain political players are trying to score political points, but they could not corroborate their claim with proofs, as the law for the privatisation of PIA was unanimously passed by all the parties.

He discussed the transaction plan for PSM and government’s efforts for rescuing the PSM.

Aziz added that transaction is always a coordinated effort involving various line ministries, hence we need to see a broader perspective especially in power sector as we cannot shut down the power distribution companies (DISCOs).

The minister concluded the meeting by expressing his resolve to take the privatisation work to its logical conclusion with the help of law and for the interest of the nation.