PIA's pre-qualified investor groups start visiting headquarters and maintenance facilities
Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) privatization process has entered a critical phase, with pre-qualified investor groups beginning site visits to the airline's Karachi headquarters and maintenance facilities.
This development marks a significant step toward the planned transfer of management control and majority ownership to private investors by the end of 2025.
Delegations from Airblue, the Arif Habib Consortium, Fauji Fertiliser, and the Lucky Group Consortium are set to visit PIA’s head office and Isphahani Hangar starting Monday. These visits include aircraft inspections and detailed briefings on key areas such as air service agreements, route profitability, and workforce structures.
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privatization gains momentum as Privatization Commission clears four bidders
The process gained momentum following the Privatization Commission Board’s 237th meeting, where four bidders were approved for due diligence. The meeting was chaired by Muhammad Ali, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Privatization. In parallel, the Cabinet Committee on Privatization also approved the transaction structure for the Roosevelt Hotel, while reviews for additional state-owned assets continue.
Under the current plan, the government is offering 51% to 100% of PIA’s shares, including full management control, to attract credible investors. Shortlisted bidders now have access to a virtual data room and will conduct detailed evaluations over the next two months, with final bids expected in Q4 2025.
In a related move, the government has asked potential buyers to commit Rs. 60–70 billion over five years to revitalize PIA, covering fleet expansion and operational upgrades. Only 15% of the bid amount will go directly to the government; the remaining 85% must be reinvested into the airline's recovery.
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demand full ownership as PIA privatization approaches
PIA’s privatization is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s broader economic reform agenda, part of its $7 billion IMF program, and could mark the country's first major privatization in over two decades if completed successfully.
Source: ARY News