PESHAWAR, November 2, 2024 — The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has formally expressed its intent to bid for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), aiming to exceed the highest offer of Rs10 billion currently on the table from the Blue World Consortium.
In a letter addressed to Federal Minister for Privatisation Aleem Khan, Hassan Masood Kunwar, Vice Chairman of the KP Board of Investment and Trade (KP-BOIT), stated that the provincial government is eager to participate in the bidding process for PIA’s sale. The letter conveyed the chief minister’s and the people’s strong interest in acquiring the national flag carrier.
The letter underscored PIA’s importance as a national asset and highlighted the chief minister’s directive to ensure that the airline remains under government control rather than being privatized or sold to a foreign entity.
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The KP government urged the federal authorities to view their proposal as a viable option for maintaining PIA’s legacy within a provincial structure, which aligns with the public interest in preserving national assets.
The letter indicated that the KP government is prepared to submit a bid that surpasses the current highest offer, reinforcing their commitment to the acquisition. Additionally, they requested an immediate opportunity to meet with the privatisation ministry to present their proposal in detail and discuss their strategic vision for PIA.
“We are prepared to act swiftly and decisively in this vital national interest,” the letter concluded, inviting the federal government to propose a suitable time for further discussions.