Investors briefed on PIA privatization in Karachi

The privatization commission (PC) arranged a briefing for investors about the privatization of the PIA at a private hotel in Karachi on Thursday as efforts to sell the loss-making entity gather pace again, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.  

Sources told the 24News TV channel that this was the third road show organised for the purpose.

Earlier, such briefings were arranged in Lahore and Islamabad. 

The investors were briefed on the national flag carrier’s routes, assets, employees and income.

The parties interested in the purchase of the airline have already been asked to submit their applications to the PC by June 3. 

The parties have been told that they would have to deposit $5,000 or Rs1.4 million along with their applications, which would be non-refundable. 

The government plans to sell 51 to 100 per cent shares in the airline.

After initially failing to privatize the PIA, the federal government finally on April 24, 2025 officially issued an advertisement for the purpose, opening the process for interested parties to submit bids.

The privatization package includes all major business units of the airline, including passenger services, ground handling, cargo operations, flight training, flight kitchen, and engineering services.

The government had to resume efforts to privatize the national flag carrier amid growing pressure to reform and shed loss-making state-owned enterprises (SOEs) under Pakistan’s ongoing $7 billion loan programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). 

Reporter: Saeed Ahmad Saeed