Karachi businessmen interested in acquiring PIA, launching new airline: Governor Tessori
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori
revealed on Sunday that a group of Karachi traders has shown interest in acquiring
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
In an interview with ARY News,
Governor Tessori shared that the traders approached him to discuss their
involvement in PIA’s privatization process. "The Karachi traders are
interested in taking over PIA for a year and are serious about launching a new
airline," Tessori explained. He also suggested naming the new airline
‘PK,’ symbolizing both Pakistan and Karachi.
Governor Tessori expressed support
for the Punjab government’s proposed project, “Air Punjab,” which could soon
launch as a separate provincial airline.
Read More Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa seeks control of PIA to preserve its symbolic value
The potential emergence of new
airlines, Tessori added, could create job opportunities across Pakistan.
This news follows recent developments
involving the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government, which expressed its own
interest in PIA. The KP Investment Board recently sent a letter to Federal
Minister for Privatization Abdul Aleem Khan, indicating an intent to bid.
A day earlier, Pakistan Muslim
League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif also mentioned that Punjab Chief
Minister Maryam Nawaz suggested acquiring and rebranding PIA as "Air
Punjab." He disclosed that Maryam sought his advice on revamping the
national airline under a new name.
Read More Punjab
Chief Minister shows interest in buying PIA, rebranding it ‘Air Punjab’
The latest PIA bidding round
concluded with a single offer of Rs10 billion ($36 million) from real estate
company Blue World City, falling well below the government’s minimum asking
price of Rs85 billion for a 60% stake in the airline. Six groups were pre-qualified
in June, but only Blue World City participated in the final bidding process.
Source: ARY News