Pakistan International Airlines
The loss-making airline is being privatised as part of a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program , which requires the federal government to reform or divest struggling state enterprises. “PIA’s bidding will take place on December 23, which will be broadcast live on all media.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with corporate entities and company representatives involved in the process, according to a press release shared by state broadcaster PTV News. Sharif said the process was proceeding “smoothly” and argued that privatisation would help restore the airline’s “lost prestige,” align it with modern aviation requirements and facilitate the restoration of PIA’s global flight operations — a step he said was crucial for overseas Pakistanis. We are ensuring transparency and merit in the privatisation process,” the statement quoted him as saying.
A previous attempt to offload PIA last year was scrapped after the government failed to receive a sufficiently attractive offer.