Pakistan has announced that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will be put up for sale via a public bidding process on December 23, 2025, in a renewed attempt to privatise the debt-ridden national carrier.
The sale will involve a divestment of 51–100 percent of the airline — a move driven by the government’s commitment to structural reforms tied to a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout package.
Four bidders have been pre-qualified for the privatisation: Lucky Cement Consortium, Arif Habib Corporation Consortium, Fauji Fertiliser Company Limited and Air Blue Limited.
According to a government statement, the bidding process will be broadcast live on national media to ensure transparency and merit-based selection. Officials say the divestment is aimed at restoring PIA’s prestige, modernising its operations, and reducing the fiscal burden of continued losses on the state.
It is the first major privatisation effort in nearly two decades, reflecting Islamabad’s urgent need to stabilise its economy and meet IMF conditions. Observers note that while PIA once stood as a national symbol of pride, mounting debt and years of losses have made its sale a key element of Pakistan’s broader economic reform agenda.
