Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday announced that the bidding process for the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) would be broadcast live on national television, emphasizing that full transparency and merit would remain the government's foremost priorities.
"The entire bidding on December 23, 2025, will be aired live on all media channels so that the nation can witness the process firsthand," he added.
Speaking during a meeting at the Prime Minister's House with all business leaders and company representatives participating in the PIA privatisation, the PM 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 flag carrier with modern aviation standards, adding that the reform and divestment process was progressing in an efficient and structured manner.
"InshaAllah, PIA will once again live up to its old slogan of 'Great People to Fly With'," the PM remarked.
Reiterating his government's commitment to a corruption-free and professionally executed process, he said transparency would be maintained at every step..
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said restoring PIA's global routes would greatly benefit overseas Pakistanis by providing reliable connectivity.
Modernising the airline, he added, was also critical for strengthening Pakistan's tourism sector, which required a competitive and efficient national carrier.
The prime minister said he was hopeful that whichever bidder ultimately takes charge would dedicate its full energies to restoring the airline's identity and securing its long-term growth.
The participants praised the government for adopting a transparent and professional mechanism for the privatisation exercise.
The meeting was attended by all bidders participating in the PIA privatisation round, along with 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; Adviser to the PM Muhammad Ali; Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar; and senior officials were present.
Tariff Policy
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that the incumbent government was taking priority measures to reduce the production cost of industrial goods for local industry, trade, and population.
The prime minister, chairing a meeting to review recommendations of the sub-working group on customs duty and other trade sector reforms, said that the National Tariff Policy approved by the government was a revolutionary step to boost domestic industrial production while making businesses competitive in local and international markets.
He said that the Policy was also introduced to align the country's exports and imports with overall national economic growth.
He said that identifying the sector-specific proposals and issues was inevitable to increase domestic industrial production and trade.
The prime minister said that for decades, the Export Development Fund was not utilised to promote research and training to enhance economic and industrial production capacity.
He emphasised that the recommendations and reform proposals in the export and import sectors put forward by experts must be based on realistic data and statistics.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also directed strict monitoring of customs duties collection on bilateral and transit trade goods with other countries on the border.
The working group viewed 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 representatives of the business community, 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 the ministries and institutions concerned 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 Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), representatives of national industry and business community and senior government officials.
