Pakistan International Arlines (PIA) : News / Updates

PIA privatisation: four firms prequalify for bidding to acquire 75% stake​


PIA's name and branding will remain unchanged; fleet will be expanded from 18 to 38 operational aircraft

Khalid Mehmood
November 20, 2025


pia privatisation four firms prequalify for bidding to acquire 75 stake


PIA privatisation: four firms prequalify for bidding to acquire 75% stake

ISLAMABAD: Four companies have been prequalified to participate in the upcoming privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines, with 75 per cent of the national carrier’s shares, set to be auctioned soon.

PIA’s name and branding will remain unchanged following privatisation. Under the proposed business plan, the airline’s fleet will be expanded from 18 to 38 operational aircraft within four years.

According to Prime Minister Office press release, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting on PIA affairs. He directed that all stages of the privatisation process be completed swiftly and transparently.
He also instructed officials to prepare a strategy to increase the number of operational aircraft in PIA’s fleet and to ensure the timely departure of flights.

During the meeting, officials provided a detailed briefing on PIA’s privatisation and the associated business plan. They apprised that four parties have been prequalified for the upcoming auction, which will cover 75 per cent of PIA’s shares.

It was emphasised that the airline’s name and theme will not be altered as part of the privatisation process.

The business plan aims to expand PIA’s operational fleet from 18 aircraft to 38 by 2029. Currently, the national airline provides services to more than 30 cities across Pakistan. Under the new plan, PIA’s services are expected to cover over 40 cities by 2029.

The meeting was attended by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahsan Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb, Prime Minister’s Adviser for Privatisation Muhammad Ali, and other senior government officials.
 
Govt's renewed efforts for PIA privatistion

The government’s renewed effort to privatise PIA follows a failed bid last year when only one offer — Rs10 billion ($36 million) from real estate developer Blue World City — was received for a 60 per cent stake. The offer, far below the government’s floor price of Rs85 billion ($305 million), was rejected.

The Privatisation Commission reopened the process in April 2025, inviting expressions of interest for a 51 to 100 per cent stake from both local and international investors.

The renewed process drew interest from eight entities, with four — including leading business groups and a private education operator — shortlisted after federal approval in July. Final bidding and negotiations are expected before the end of current year.

The sale of PIA is expected to mark Pakistan’s first major privatisation in nearly two decades. Reviving loss-making state-owned enterprises like PIA remains a key structural benchmark under the country’s ongoing $7 billion International Monetary Fund bailout programme.
 
On October 21, 1974, brand new PIA McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 aircraft registration AP-AXE on its delivery flight from USA landed in Karachi as record breaking non-stop flight from New York completed in 13 hours, 3 minutes & 50 seconds.

The record setting flight with two sets of cockpit crew also carried 41 passengers.


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PIA Hawker Siddeley Trident 1E undergoing maintenance checks at Karachi Airport.


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Struggling PIA: Govt says 75% shares to be privatised​

  • One of the key stipulations revealed was that PIA’s name and branding will remain unchanged
Zulfiqar Ahmad Published November 21, 2025 Updated about 3 hours ago

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ISLAMABAD: In a high-stakes move that could either salvage or seal the fate of the country’s ailing national airline, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was informed on Thursday of the imminent privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), with an astonishing 75 percent of the flag carrier’s shares set to be sold off to private buyers.

During a high-level meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, officials presented a detailed plan for PIA’s privatisation, outlining the next steps in the process and progress made thus far. One of the key stipulations revealed was that, despite the sale, PIA’s name and branding will remain unchanged.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that the privatisation process is poised to enter its critical bidding phase, where the future ownership of the beleaguered airline will be determined. Officials disclosed that four parties have already been pre-qualified to participate in the bidding.


PIA to be sold this year, but buyers won’t get guarantees: Privatisation Commission chief

They also outlined a transformative business plan for PIA, which includes a significant expansion of its fleet. The number of airworthy aircraft is set to grow from 18 to 38 by 2029.

The airline’s route network, currently serving over 30 cities, will also be extended to more than 40 cities by the same year.

Prime Minister Sharif, in his remarks during the meeting, stressed the urgency of completing the privatisation swiftly and transparently.

“This is a crucial step in ensuring the long-term sustainability of PIA,” he said. “We must ensure that the privatisation process is conducted without delay, and that PIA’s operational capabilities are significantly improved.”

He also directed officials to focus on increasing the number of airworthy aircraft and ensuring the timely departure of flights, issues that have long plagued the airline.

In addition to privatisation, the prime minister emphasised the need for operational reforms, particularly in improving flight punctuality and fleet readiness.

He underscored that addressing these challenges alongside privatisation would help PIA restore its reputation.

The meeting also provided an update on the business plan, which aims to modernise PIA’s fleet and enhance its service offering.

With an expanded fleet and extended route network, PIA aims to position itself as a stronger competitor in the regional aviation market.

The meeting was attended by key ministers, including Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema, Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb, and the Prime Minister’s Advisor on Privatisation Muhammad Ali, among other senior officials.

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Struggling PIA: Govt says 75% shares to be privatised

One of the key stipulations revealed was that PIA’s name and branding will remain unchanged
www.brecorder.com
 
ghazi52 said:
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I flew these b707s first class with my parents on the way from Karachi to Sydney as my dad became the defence attaché in Canberra. The flight started early in the morning in Karachi and went to Colombo and stopped there for a few hours and then flew to kuala lampur and ended in Singapore. This was in 1977. I have flown 1000s of times since flying Singapore airlines, Lufthansa , Qatar, emirates etc but I tell you the experience flying first class in PIA b707 during the 70s was out of this world. Still remember it as if it was yesterday
 
At Dera Ismail Khan air port.

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