Islamabad, November 20, 2025: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday directed authorities to expedite all phases of Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) privatisation process with full transparency, while formulating a clear roadmap to boost the number of airworthy aircraft and ensure timely flight operations.
Chairing a high-level meeting at the PM House, the prime minister stressed that enhancing the national carrier’s operational efficiency must remain a central priority.
Officials briefed the meeting on the ongoing privatisation process, informing the premier that four parties have been pre-qualified for the transaction and that the bidding phase will begin soon. Under the plan, the government intends to privatise 75% of PIA’s shares, while keeping strict conditions in place to ensure that the airline’s name and branding remain unchanged after privatisation.
The meeting was further informed that PIA’s business plan envisions increasing the number of airworthy aircraft in its fleet from 18 to 38 by 2029. The airline, which currently serves over 30 cities, aims to expand its network to more than 40 destinations within the same period.
The session was attended by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Adviser on Privatisation Muhammad Ali, and senior government officials.
