A major issue in any third world country, including Pakistan, is the lack of financially sound state enterprises. There are, however, some emerging exceptions to the rule, such as PTCL, which can now be counted amongst Pakistan’s few economic success stories. The stable and strong financial status of PTCL with rising trajectory of profit and expanding services reflects the brighter side of privatisation. The 11.3 percent growth in revenue and net profit of Rs 1.4 billion earned by PTCL in its recently announced 3rd Q2012, an increase of 7 percent over the previous year, shows a remarkable turnaround for this company, despite rising inflation and economic slowdown. All this has been the result of sound fiscal policies and expansion of PTCL from a voice based communication operator to voice cum data integrated telecom giant, all the while keeping in view the unique market constraints in Pakistan.
The figures speak for themselves and that is the fruit that privatisation has brought to PTCL. Rather than becoming a burden over state exchequer like most other state-owned entities, PTCL has evolved into an enterprise which is financially sound, customer friendly and has a clear-cut future business agenda – achievements currently unmatched by any other state run enterprise.
ALI HASSAN BHATTI
Lahore