Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has expressed his strong resolve to resist privatization of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) against all odds.
Addressing an event regarding restructuring and trip to PSM on Friday along with other bigwigs of PPP, the PM declared PPP as the largest political entity of Pakistan and said that it was based on the power and masses, who were its guardians.
He cited difficult and trying times amid which the steel mill was established, and expressed his great pain and consternation over the current situation of the mill, which was the backbone of Pakistani economy; yet many negative elements had the temerity to label it as a white elephant (liability).
He said that PPP had strongly opposed the unsuccessful attempt of privatisation of steel mill during/by Musharraf’s regime, whence it had been; since PPP had an emotional link with the steel mill due to it being the brainchild of founder of PPP, (late) Z A Bhutto.
He announced that administration of steel mill had demanded Rs3 billion-, while the finance minister only agreed to disburse Rs.1 billion.
“However today I publicly order finance ministry to provide the additional Rs 2 billion to steel mill before Eid, and if the workers show better production efforts, there would be an additional one Rs 1 billion to be awarded”, he promised.
He said that, with this much allocation, government could have opened many primary schools and even a university in Thar, but preference had been given to the steel mill, since restoring institutions running in loss was the prime concern of the government.
“We gave steel mill a new life by providing a best available chief executive, and a Rs 14.8 million bail-out package “, he disclosed.
He appreciated the patience of labourers, who had tolerated two months without salaries, and promised that things would certainly be different during his next visit after two months.
Addressing on the occasion, Steel Mill Chief Executive Maj Gen (Retd) Javed Iqbal said that steel mill was a strong corner stone of economy, with an annual production figure of one million tons.
CBA Labour Union President Shamshad Qurieshi expressed his gratitude at PPP for never failing to endorse its promises made to labour class, and demanded the steel mill be struck-off from the list of privatisation of institutions.
