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PM Orders Transparent PIA Privatisation, Live Broadcasts
PM Shehbaz directs live broadcasts of PIA privatisation to ensure full transparency. Govt invites fresh bids, offering up to 100% shares of the airline.
ND
by News Desk
2025-04-25
PM Orders Transparent PIA Privatisation, Live Broadcasts

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday instructed authorities to ensure absolute transparency in the privatisation process of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), calling for live coverage of the proceedings across TV and digital platforms.

Chairing a high-level meeting to review the progress of PIA’s ongoing privatisation, the premier underscored the importance of investor confidence and timely execution of the plan. “Transparency must be a cornerstone of this process,” he said, while directing that roadshows and digital engagement strategies be employed to encourage investor participation.

The directive comes a day after the federal government invited fresh expressions of interest (EOIs) for PIA's sale, offering up to 100% equity and full management control of the national airline. The deadline for EOIs is June 3, with bidding expected between October and December.

The government’s renewed push includes expanded incentives for buyers, after its first attempt earlier this year failed to attract a suitable offer. The previous bid — from the Blue World City consortium — was rejected for being approximately Rs75 billion below expectations, despite the government already having spent $4.3 million of a $6.8 million consultancy fee to Ernst & Young (EY) as part of the effort.

The privatisation initiative, a part of broader reforms encouraged by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), aims to alleviate financial pressure on the national exchequer. PIA has accumulated debts running into hundreds of billions of rupees over the years.

Officials at the meeting briefed the Prime Minister on the investor outreach strategy, designed in consultation with EY Consulting, and on the timeline and participation criteria for the bidding process.

In March, Federal Minister for Privatisation and Investment Abdul Aleem Khan pledged to complete all procedural steps by May 2024. A formal advertisement published by the Privatisation Commission in April had initially set May 3 as the deadline for receiving EOIs. However, with the revised plan and incentives in place, the process has now been reset.

Transparency and Public Accountability
Highlighting the importance of public trust, PM Shehbaz reiterated that live broadcasting of the entire process was essential. “The public has a right to witness how national assets are being handled,” he said.

The move is expected to boost investor confidence and counter criticism about lack of transparency in previous privatisation efforts.

As Pakistan navigates complex economic challenges, the success or failure of the PIA privatisation could have far-reaching implications — not just for the aviation sector, but for future public sector divestments as well.

 
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