PIA Privatization Auction Date Announced

**Islamabad (Qudrat Daily):** The auction date for the privatization of the national airline, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), has been announced. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Adviser on Privatization, Muhammad Ali, stated that all arrangements for the privatization process have been completed and bidding will take place on **December 23**.

He said that the chances of the reference price being leaked during the privatization process have been eliminated. The adviser added that approval of the reference price by the Privatization Commission Board and the Cabinet Committee on Privatization will be granted after the bids are submitted, following which the bids will be opened.

Muhammad Ali further stated that the bids will be opened in the presence of the media, and the national airline will be sold to the party offering a bid higher than the reference price.

He said that bidding will be conducted for **75 percent shares** of PIA, although some bidders are interested in purchasing **100 percent shares**. He clarified that the option to buy 100 percent shares has been offered, but the bidding process will be based on 75 percent shareholding.