PM Announces Live Bidding for PIA on Dec 23
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ne Islamabad mein business leaders aur company representatives ke saath meeting ke duran announce kiya ke PIA ki privatisation bidding 23 December ko live broadcast ke sath hogi, taa ke poora process maximum transparency ke sath tamam ho.
PM ne kaha ke hukoomat ka focus merit-based aur professional procedure par hai, aur woh umeed rakhte hain ke jo bhi bidder aakhir mein zimmedari sambhalega, woh puri energy ke sath national airline ki lost identity ko restore karega aur usay modern aviation standards ke mutabiq develop karega. Meeting mein shamil tamam participants ne bhi government ke transparent approach ko appreciate kiya aur kaha ke is dafa privatisation process ziada structured aur professional tariqe se aage badh raha hai.
When and How: Live Bidding on Dec 23
Government ne faisla kiya ke bidding ko transparent rakhne ke liye live media telecast kiya jayega. Prime Minister ne stress kiya ke merit aur transparency is process ki bunyaad hongi taake public trust barqarar rahe.
Who Are the Pre-Qualified Bidders
Char consortiums / companies ko pre-qualify kiya gaya hai:
- Lucky Cement Consortium
- Arif Habib Corporation Consortium
- Fauji Fertiliser Company Limited (FFC)
- Air Blue Limited
Yeh groups ab buy-side due diligence phase mein aage barh chuke hain.
Why Privatisation: IMF Programme and Reforms
Government ka kehna hai ke PIA ki privatisation IMF ke $7 billion programme ke structural reforms ka hissa hai. Ownership transfer se funds raise karne aur state-owned enterprises ko reform karne ka irada hai taake fiscal burden kam ho.
Process Details & Government’s Expectations
Privatisation commission ne process ko professional aur competitive rakhne ka wada kiya hai. PM ne ummeed zahir ki ke jo bhi successful bidder hoga, wo PIA ki “lost prestige” wapas laane aur airline ko modern requirements ke mutabiq develop karne par tawajju dega.
PIA Ka Current Footprint
PIA aik full-service carrier hai jiska business passenger services ke ilawa ground handling, cargo, engineering aur flight kitchens jaise ancillary segments bhi cover karta hai. Airline takreeban 20.5 million annual passengers market share ka hissa rakh chuki hai aur 34 destinations ko service deti hai.
Past Attempt & Valuation Gap
Pichla sale attempt nakam raha jab ek $36 million bid floor price $305 million se bohot kam thi. Is baar government ne 51–100% stakes ki offer ko dobara reopen kiya aur local-international investors se expressions of interest liye gaye, jisme se 4 ko shortlist kia gaya.
Planned Growth After Privatisation
Proposed business plan mein fleet ko 18 se 38 operational aircraft tak expand karne ka target diya gaya hai, aur services ko 2029 tak 40+ cities tak le jane ki projection hai, agar implementation aur investment sahi tareeqay se ho to.
Why This Matters for Overseas Pakistanis & Tourism?
PM ne kaha ke restored international flights overseas Pakistanis ke liye sahulat barhayengi. Saathi, modernised PIA tourism sector ko support kar sakti hai jo economy aur foreign exchange me madadgar hogi.
Final Note: Transparency and Next Steps
Bidding ka live telecast, buy-side due diligence aur pre-qualification steps is baat ka sign hain ke government process ko transparent rakhna chahti hai. Ab focus yeh rahega ke Dec 23 par auction smoothly ho, successful bidder selected ho aur phir rapid implementation ke zariye airline ko sustainable banaya ja sake.