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The timeline for the highly anticipated privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is finally set. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has officially announced that the bidding for the national flag carrier will take place on December 23, 2025.
The Prime Minister made this announcement during a high-level meeting at the Prime Minister’s House. He met directly with representatives of the business groups and companies competing for the airline.
Transparency remains the government’s top priority for this major economic shift. Therefore, PM Sharif declared that the entire bidding process would be broadcast live across media channels nationwide.
He emphasised that the process must strictly adhere to merit. The government aims to make the privatisation seamless. This approach ensures that the national airline aligns with modern aviation requirements.
The Prime Minister expressed optimism about the airline’s future. He stated that the PIA privatisation will help restore PIA’s lost identity. PM Sharif noted that PIA will soon once again live up to its tradition of “Great People to Fly With”.
Furthermore, the revival of flights globally will directly benefit overseas Pakistanis. A modernised national airline is also crucial for the development of Pakistan’s growing tourism sector. The Prime Minister hopes the winning bidder will focus all their energy on restoring the airline’s image and driving its development.
The meeting saw attendance from top government officials, including:
- Federal Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar
- Federal Minister Ahad Khan Cheema
- Federal Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb
- Federal Minister Attaullah Tarar
- Federal Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar
- Federal Minister Sardar Awais Khan Leghari
- Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kiyani
- Advisor to PM Muhammad Ali
- Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar
The participating bidders expressed full confidence in the process. They appreciated the government for adopting a professional and transparent procedure for this historic transaction.
