PIA privatisation enters decisive phase with live televised bidding on December 23

PM announces live broadcast of PIA bidding process on December 23

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday announced that the entire bidding process for the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines will be televised live across all national media channels on December 23.
The prime minister emphasised that the objective is to ensure maximum transparency and public trust in one of the most critical restructuring initiatives being undertaken by the federal government.

Public to Watch PIA Privatisation in Real Time

Speaking during a meeting with business leaders and representatives of companies participating in the privatisation round, the PM said the government wants the nation to witness the bidding process from start to finish.

He said the decision was taken to eliminate any speculation or concerns related to fairness, adding that merit and transparency remain top priorities.

The prime minister acknowledged that PIA had suffered years of mismanagement and said restoring its reputation was now a national responsibility.

Reviving Global Routes for Overseas Pakistanis

The prime minister reiterated that reopening PIA’s long stalled international routes would bring major relief to millions of overseas Pakistanis seeking reliable and affordable connectivity.

He said that a modern, stable, and competitive airline is vital for Pakistan’s tourism sector, international mobility, and economic growth.

“InshaAllah, PIA will once again live up to its old slogan Great People to Fly With,” the PM added.

Government Confident in Smooth Transition

Participants at the meeting praised the government for adopting a professional and structured privatisation mechanism. The session was attended by federal ministers Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar, Azam Nazeer Tarar, and other senior officials.

The PM expressed hope that whichever company takes charge will focus on restoring the airline’s identity, expanding its network, and ensuring long term growth.

Tariff Policy Initiatives

PM says reducing industrial production cost is a priority

Earlier the same day, the prime minister chaired another meeting to review the recommendations of the sub working group on customs duties and trade reforms.

PM Shehbaz said the National Tariff Policy approved by the government has introduced transformative reforms aimed at local industrial growth and global competitiveness. He emphasised that the policy aligns Pakistan’s export and import systems with long term national economic goals.

He added that decades of underutilisation of the Export Development Fund had damaged training and research initiatives and instructed officials to implement realistic, data backed reforms.

The meeting also discussed border monitoring mechanisms to ensure transparent customs duty collection on bilateral and transit trade.

Representatives of the business community presented recommendations regarding taxation and customs issues, which the PM welcomed and asked relevant institutions to implement.

Why This Matters for Pakistan’s Economy

The decision to broadcast the PIA bidding live is more than a symbolic gesture. It signals the government’s attempt to rebuild public confidence in state led reforms at a time when economic recovery remains a critical challenge.
Transparent privatisation is expected to attract credible investors, improve the airline’s operational efficiency, and reduce long term financial strain on the national budget. For overseas Pakistanis, reliable air connectivity is essential for travel, remittances, and maintaining family ties. If successful, the restructuring of PIA could mark a turning point for Pakistan’s aviation and tourism sectors.