Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has arrived in Dubai to hold important talks with Etisalat to address the long-standing dispute over the privatisation of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL). The issue involves an amount of 799 million dollars that has remained unresolved for many years.
According to officials, the talks are focused on payments that were withheld due to disagreements over the transfer of certain properties under the 2006 privatisation agreement. These property-related issues have delayed the release of funds, creating a prolonged financial and legal dispute between the two sides.
Pakistan is now seeking to settle the matter through dialogue and diplomatic engagement rather than lengthy legal processes. The government hopes that these discussions will help unlock the pending payments and bring closure to one of the country’s most complex privatisation cases.
The visit also reflects Pakistan’s broader effort to strengthen economic and investment ties with the United Arab Emirates. Resolving the PTCL issue is seen as an important step toward rebuilding investor confidence and improving bilateral business relations.
Officials believe that a mutually acceptable solution could benefit both sides, open the door for future cooperation, and send a positive signal to international investors about Pakistan’s commitment to resolving disputes through constructive engagement.
