KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah opposed privatisation of electricity distribution companies in a meeting of the Council of Common Interests held in Islamabad on Monday.

According to sources, the federal government, in pursuance of its general policy of privatisation in accordance with its commitment to the International Monetary Fund, presented its case for privatisation of the distribution companies but failed to evolve consensus.

Mr Shah opposed the proposal and said privatisation of the companies would render tens of thousands of workers jobless.

He also declined to allow providing water to Islamabad from Sindh`s share on the grounds that the province was already facing an acute shortage of water. `Over 20 million people of Karachi are braving acute shortages. In these circumstances, how we can provide water from our share, he was quoted as saying. The council is reported to have failed to take a decision on holding a census and deferred the matter till its next meeting.