The government has delayed the financial bidding for the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), shifting the date from October 1 to October 31, 2024. The postponement is attributed to low interest from bidders and several unresolved issues, including ongoing court cases, an ageing fleet, and civil aviation concerns.
Earlier in the week, Usman Bajwa, Secretary of the Privatization Commission, briefed the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Privatization, stating that the final bid documents had been distributed to six pre-qualified bidders, with the original financial bidding scheduled for October 1. However, due to these complications, the process has now been extended.