Islamabad — Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb says the government aims to advance the privatisation of five or six state-owned enterprises, a process that it hopes could raise more than $1 billion.
In an interview with Reuters, the minister said Pakistan's economy could grow by more than 4% during the current fiscal year despite high global oil prices and external pressures. This is the finance minister's forecast, not a final measure of economic output.
He identified the availability of fuel and the performance of the agricultural sector as important for economic activity. Pakistan also faces risks arising from developments in the Middle East, energy imports and external financing needs.
Raising more than $1 billion from privatisation remains a government target. The final sale prices and funds received will become clear only after the privatisation processes have been completed.