ISLAMABAD: The government has halted the ongoing privatisation of House Building Finance Company Limited (HBFC) and reopened the process for the Roosevelt Hotel in New York, following a meeting of the Privatisation Commission Board chaired by the Adviser on Privatisation. Read More: HBFCL privatisation may start afresh Officials said the board reviewed key state-owned assets and decided […]
PIA
PIA, ‘Hard Reality to Fly With’
For decades, Pakistan International Airlines carried a slogan that resonated beyond advertising: Great People to Fly With. It reflected a period when PIA’s pilots, engineers, and crew were respected across the aviation world, and when the airline itself symbolised competence and ambition. However, an airline survives not on people alone, but on systems, discipline, and […]
PIA deal highlights risks in SOE strategy of Pakistan
The recent privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has reignited debate over the future of state-owned enterprises (SOE) strategy, raising questions about valuation, fiscal relief and the broader direction of economic reform. While the national carrier was sold for Rs135 billion to the Arif Habib Consortium, the government is set to receive only Rs10.2bn, prompting […]
PIA Privatisation
For the lack of a better word, the entire journey sounds startling. Just over a year ago, Pakistan’s flag-carrier attracted only a single bid of Rs10?billion for a 60 per cent stake–against a government floor of Rs85?billion. Fast-forward to Tuesday, and the state has secured Rs 135?billion for 75% of the airline. For decades, talk […]
PIA Deal at 135 Billion: Reform, Risk, or Ruin?
Arif Habib has reportedly bought Pakistan International Airlines in a deal valued around 135 billion rupees — and whether this turns into salvation or a fresh disaster is a question that now hangs heavy in the national air. Because Pakistan International Airlines was never just an airline. It was once the soaring embodiment of national […]
Open bidding for PIA privatisation today
The Privatisation Commission, Government of Pakistan, will hold an open bidding for 75 percent shares of PIACL today. The sealed bids will be submitted in the morning at 10:30 am by the bidders. Reference price for PIACL’s bidding will only be approved by the Privatisation Commission Board and the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation after bids […]
Passengers safe: PIA clarifies after global Airbus software alert
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) clarified on Saturday that its Airbus A320 fleet is fully safe despite a global software alert. Airbus recently announced a mandatory update to the ELAC-L104 flight control system affecting around 6,000 aircraft worldwide. PIA confirmed it never installed the faulty software, ensuring passenger safety and uninterrupted flight operations. The alert followed […]
PIA privatisation expected in last week of December 2025
ISLAMABAD: The privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is expected to take place in the last week of December 2025, according to sources familiar with the process. Read More: PIA privatisation delayed again, expected in late December The first bid for PIA’s privatisation was placed at Rs 10 billion, but officials deemed it too low. Due […]
PIA privatisation delayed again, expected in late December
The privatisation of Pakistan’s national carrier, PIA, has been postponed once again. The process is now expected to begin in the last week of December, instead of the first week as previously planned. The Privatisation Commission has announced that the privatization of PIA is now expected to take place at the end of December. PIA […]
PM orders speedy, transparent PIA privatisation
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday directed authorities to expedite all phases of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) privatisation, stressing complete transparency in the process. Chairing a meeting on the national flag carrier, the premier emphasised enhancing operational efficiency, increasing airworthy aircraft, and ensuring punctual flight departures. Officials briefed him on the privatisation plan, which […]