Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday announced that the bidding process for the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) would be televised live on national television, stressing that full transparency and merit would remain the government’s top priorities.
"The entire bid on December 23, 2025 will be broadcast live on all media channels so that the nation can witness the process." he added. Speaking at a meeting at the Prime Minister’s House with all business leaders and company representatives involved in the privatization of PIA, the Prime Minister said the airline’s lost reputation must be restored through a smooth and credible transition. He said the government was committed to aligning the national airline with modern aviation standards, adding that the reform and disinvestment process was progressing in an efficient and structured manner.
"InshaAllah, PIA will once again live up to its old slogan “Great People to Fly With”," » remarked the Prime Minister. Reiterating his government’s commitment to a corruption-free and professionally executed process, he said transparency would be maintained at every stage. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the restoration of PIA’s global routes would greatly benefit overseas Pakistanis by providing reliable connectivity. Modernizing the airline, he added, is also key to strengthening Pakistan’s tourism sector, which requires a competitive and efficient national carrier. The prime minister said he hoped the bidder who ultimately took charge would devote all its energy to restoring the airline’s identity and ensuring its long-term growth. The participants commended the government for adopting a transparent and professional mechanism for the privatization exercise. The meeting was attended by all bidders participating in PIA’s privatization round, as well as senior members of the federal cabinet and government advisors. federal ministers Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar, Azam Nazeer Tarar and Sardar Owais Leghari; Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani; Advisor to Prime Minister Muhammad Ali; special assistant Haroon Akhtar; and senior officials were present. Tariff policy Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said the incumbent government was taking priority measures to reduce the cost of production of industrial goods for local industry, commerce and people. The Prime Minister, chairing a meeting to review the recommendations of the sub-task force on tariffs and other trade sector reforms, said the national tariff policy approved by the government was a revolutionary measure to boost domestic industrial production while making businesses competitive in local and international markets. He said the policy was also introduced to align the country’s exports and imports with overall national economic growth. He said identification of sector-specific propositions and issues was inevitable to increase domestic industrial production and trade. The Prime Minister said that for decades, the Export Development Fund has not been used to promote research and training aimed at strengthening economic and industrial production capacity. He stressed that the recommendations and proposals for reform in the export and import sectors put forward by the experts must be based on realistic data and statistics. Prime Minister Shehbaz also ordered strict monitoring of collection of customs duties on bilateral trade goods and in transit with other bordering countries. The task force believed that sustainable export-led economic growth was only possible through increased investment and production capacity, government protection and improved infrastructure. During the meeting, Muhammad Ali Tabba and other business representatives, who are part of the sub-working group, briefed the Prime Minister on issues related to customs and tax collection and presented their recommendations. Prime Minister Shehbaz welcomed the recommendations and issued instructions to relevant ministries and institutions to extend all possible facilities to the business community and investors. The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar, Musadik Malik, Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Ahad Khan Cheema, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Azhar Bilal Kayani, Haroon Akhtar, National Coordinator of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), representatives of the national industry and business community and senior government officials.
