Privatisation Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, who led the Pakistani side during the talks, is likely to make announcement on the outcome of the renewed talks here on Friday.
The officials of the Privatisation Commission remained tight-lipped during the last three days.
When newsmen asked Privatisation Commission Secretary Tehsin Iqbal Khan about the deal after the signing ceremony of share purchase agreement (SPA) for Mustehkam Cement, he replied in negation.
The secretary said, "I have no idea of what was happening in the UAE and all what he can say is that the minister will make the announcement on his arrival."
It is believed that the minister will brief President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Friday morning and later issue an official statement on his talks with the Etisalat management.
As a follow up of the pre-Eid meeting, the minister along with his two consultants flown to the UAE on November 7 for the new round of talks with Etisalat. Basically, it was a two-day trip. However, it was extended to another day. The extension in stay is one hope at least for the officials of the Privatisation Commission of positive outcome of the renewed talks.
After serious setback to the deal due to non-payment of bid money the Privatisation Commission announced to take the issue to the board and Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCoP) for guidance.
However, as a result of top level intervention and interest shown by the Government of Pakistan and the UAE, the officials of the Privatisation Commission decided to once again negotiate the deal with the Etisalat management during the holy month of Ramazan.
This round ended at an understanding that both the sides will continue talks process after Eid-ul-Fitr.