Foreign Firms Begin PIA Inspection Ahead of Privatisation
Foreign Firms Begin Inspection of PIA as Privatisation Drive Gains Momentum
KARACHI – August 7, 2025: A visiting foreign company has begun its official evaluation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) as part of the national carrier’s ongoing privatisation process, sources close to the matter confirmed on Thursday.
Officials from the firm have been granted access to PIA aircraft and critical airline records to carry out a detailed inspection. Their assessment also includes a tour of other vital PIA facilities, scheduled for tomorrow.
According to PIA insiders, two additional delegations—representing other interested bidders—are expected to visit next week. These visits form part of a broader due diligence exercise, aimed at paving the way for the airline’s potential handover to private ownership.
The pace of the privatisation process picked up significantly after the Privatisation Commission Board gave the green light to four potential bidders during its 237th meeting. The session was chaired by Muhammad Ali, the Prime Minister’s Advisor on Privatisation.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation has also approved the transaction structure for New York’s Roosevelt Hotel, another asset on the government’s divestment list. A review is currently underway for yet another key property.
As per the current framework, the government is offering between 51% to 100% of PIA’s shares—along with management control—in a bid to attract credible, long-term investors. The shortlisted bidders now have access to a virtual data room and are expected to complete a comprehensive evaluation over the next two months, with final bids likely due in the fourth quarter of 2025.
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