Islamabad, November 20, 2025 – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has instructed officials to expedite all stages of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) privatization process, ensuring full transparency and a clear roadmap to boost the national carrier’s operational performance.
Chairing a high-level meeting at the PM House, the prime minister stressed that restoring PIA’s efficiency, reliability, and fleet strength must remain a core government priority. He also directed authorities to develop a strategy to increase the number of airworthy aircraft and guarantee the timely departure of all flights.
During the briefing, officials updated the prime minister on the ongoing privatization efforts and the accompanying business plan. It was revealed that four parties have been pre-qualified for the bidding phase, which is set to begin soon. Under the current plan, the government intends to privatize 75% of PIA’s shares, while ensuring that the airline’s name, identity, and branding remain unchanged after privatization.
The meeting was informed that PIA aims to expand its fleet from 18 to 38 airworthy aircraft by 2029, significantly enhancing capacity and service quality. The carrier, which currently operates flights to over 30 cities, is expected to increase its network to more than 40 destinations by 2029.
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 Privatization Muhammad Ali, and senior government officials.