Mari Petroleum pays Rs9.718b to govt

Redemption of preference shares

ISLAMABAD - Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL) has redeemed preference shares held by government of Pakistan/others along with profit for the applicable period.

An amount of Rs 9.718 billion was paid to GoP on June 24, 2016 on account of redemption of preference shares.

According to the company’s spokesman, based on approval from SECP, Board of Directors, government of Pakistan (GoP) and shareholders in the extraordinary general meeting (EOGM) held on June 23, 2016, the Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL) has redeemed preference shares held by GoP/others along with profit for the applicable period.

MPCL has already redeemed the preference shares issued to the minority shareholders of the company.

Early redemption of preference shares held by GoP and minority shareholders is a great achievement on part of the company. With efficient management of cash flows, early redemption of preference shares will result in cost savings for the company, whereas, GoP has benefitted in the shape of lump sum payment of Rs 9.718 billion.

Effective July 01, 2014, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) approved dismantling of Mari GPA with the condition that the un-distributable balance as on June 30, 2014 amounting to Rs 9.67 billion would be surrendered to GoP and minority shareholders in the form of preference shares as “quid pro quo” for dismantling of Mari GPA.

In addition, Rs 920 million provided for Mari Seismic Unit was also converted into preference share capital favoring GoP. These shares carried a profit rate of one year KIBOR + 3% and were to be redeemed within ten years. Accordingly, preference shares were issued to GoP and minority shareholders on June 19, 2015.

It is worth mentioning, that this is the highest transaction ever made by MPCL in its financial history, which will help the government in maintaining its cash flow.

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