ISLAMABAD:
Parliamentary Secretary for Privatization Aasia Ishaque Siddiqui on Friday informed the National Assembly that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), First Women Bank Limited (FWBL) and House Building Finance Corporation (HBFC) have entered the final stages of the privatization process.
Responding to questions during Question Hour, she said the pre-tender process for PIA has been completed, with the government preparing to move to the tender stage by mid to end November 2025, subject to procedural approvals.
Regarding First Women Bank Limited, the Secretary said bids had already been received and approval of the reference price was under consideration. “We are ready to open bids on Monday, October 13, and by the will of Allah, the Sale-Purchase Agreement (SPA) for First Women Bank will be finalized on October 17,” she said.
She further said that an international holding company based in the United Arab Emirates was set to acquire First Women Bank.
The secretary added that bids for HBFC would be received on October 24 and the opening of bids would be scheduled for October 27. “We expect to complete the sale-purchase agreement for HBFC shortly thereafter,” she said.
