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The long-delayed privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) entered a pivotal phase Tuesday as the government began accepting sealed bids from pre-qualified investors at 10 :30 AM local time, marking a crucial step in moving the national carrier into private hands.
The Privatization Commission of Pakistan is overseeing the process, and officials have confirmed that they will broadcast the bid opening ceremony live on television and stream it across digital platforms, allowing the public to witness a key moment in the nation’s economic reform agenda.
Shortlisted groups began submitting sealed bids early in the morning. The Privatization Commission Board will set the reference price and the Cabinet Committee on Privatization will approve it after reviewing the bids. Organizers have scheduled the formal bid opening ceremony for 3:30 PM, when officials will announce the submitted bid values alongside the reference price. After unveiling the offers, the prime minister’s adviser on privatization, Muhammad Ali, is expected to brief the press on the outcome and outline the next steps in the process.
The sale of PIA comes as part of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s broader efforts to revive state-owned enterprises under a transparent and rules-based privatization framework aimed at reducing the financial burden on the government and restoring the airline’s competitiveness.
As the sealed bid submissions and subsequent opening proceed today, market watchers, aviation industry stakeholders, and travelers alike will be watching closely for signals about who has placed the highest offers and how this historic sale will shape the future of PIA and the broader civil aviation landscape in Pakistan.
The next steps will include evaluation of bids, reserve price confirmation, and an eventual announcement of the successful bidder in the coming days, setting the stage for post-privatization transitions and strategic planning by the buyer and the government alike.
You can read more on the development on TechJuice here.
