Federal Minister for Privatisation, Abdul Aleem Khan, has said the government has no objection if any provincial administration wishes to acquire Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
He further added that provincial ownership could potentially lead to profitability for the struggling national carrier.
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Khan explained that privatisation plans for PIA had been established prior to his appointment, emphasising his mandate as focused on facilitating the airline’s sale, not on reforming its structure.
“The framework for PIA’s privatisation was set before I assumed office, with a deficit of Rs830 billion ($2.9 billion). Changing this framework was beyond my authority,” he stated.
In a sharp critique, Khan noted the extensive mismanagement PIA has faced across various administrations.
“Those who contributed to PIA’s ruin should reflect on their actions,” he remarked, citing a collective failure across different political tenures.
He confirmed that the federal government would not object if any provincial government stepped forward with an acquisition proposal.
“Whether it’s the governments of KP, Punjab, or Sindh, we welcome any provincial interest in buying PIA. If today, Punjab, KP, Sindh, and Balochistan each took a stake, PIA could actually become profitable,” he asserted.
Khan’s comments follow recent suggestions from former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that the Punjab government should consider purchasing PIA.
