Sir: This is in view of the approval of 31 state-owned entities’ privatisation by the privatisation board. Privatisation of industries and organisations is essential in certain cases and in the current scenario, but it must be kept in mind what the impacts have been of previous such practices. A major example in this regard is the Pakistan Telecommunications Company Limited where the sale of 26 percent shares resulted in handing over the administrative control of the organisation to the purchaser. Despite holding 62 percent shares of the entity, it is strange that full administrative control be given to a mere 26 percent shareholder. Moreover, precious land of the country has been transferred to a foreign company, which itself is more than the actual amount of the bid. The government failed to recover the amount of $ 800 million from the company even after six years.The previous as well as current government failed to get this amount despite numerous attempts. Moreover, the rights of the 40,000 ex-employees have been usurped by the company by not allowing increases announced by the government as determined in the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA). These elderly retired civil servants served the country all their lives in Pakistan Telegraph and the telephone department but have now been slaughtered by the purchaser, and the government of Pakistan, despite being the guarantor of the rights of these pensioners, is also keeping mum on the issue. These points must be considered before privatising more organisations in the interest of the country as well as their employees. MUHAMMAD TAUQEER Sialkot