Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Wednesday that the tender process for the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) would be broadcast live on national television, stressing that full transparency and merit will remain the government’s top priorities.
"The entire bidding on December 23, 2025 will be telecast live on all media channels so that the nation can see the process first hand," he added. During a meeting at the Prime Minister’s House with all business leaders and company representatives participating in the PIA privatization, the Prime Minister said that the lost reputation of the airline must be restored through a smooth and credible transition. He said the government was committed to aligning the national flagship with modern aviation standards, adding that the reform and divestment process was proceeding 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. He reiterated his government’s commitment to a corruption-free and professionally conducted process, saying transparency would be maintained at every step. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said restoration of PIA’s global routes would benefit overseas Pakistanis by providing reliable connectivity. Modernization of the airline, he added, was also essential to strengthen Pakistan’s tourism sector, which required a competitive and efficient national carrier. The prime minister said he hoped that whichever bidder ultimately took charge would dedicate its full efforts 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 the PIA privatization round, along with senior members of the federal cabinet and government advisers. Union Ministers Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar, Azam Nazeer Tarar and Sardar Owais Leghari; Foreign Minister Bilal Azhar Kayani; adviser to Prime Minister Muhammad Ali; Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar; and senior officials were present. Customs Policy Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that the incumbent government is taking priority measures to reduce the production cost of industrial goods for local industry, trade and population. The prime minister, who chaired a meeting to review the recommendations of the sub-working group on customs duties and other trade sector reforms, said the National Customs 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 the policy was also introduced to bring the country’s exports and imports in line with overall national economic growth. He said it was inevitable to identify the sector-specific proposals and issues to increase domestic industrial production and trade. The Prime Minister said that for decades the Export Development Fund was not used to promote research and education to increase economic and industrial production capacity. He emphasized that the experts’ recommendations and reform proposals in the export and import sectors must be based on realistic data and statistics. Prime Minister Shehbaz also directed strict monitoring of duty collection on bilateral and transit goods with other countries on the border. The working group 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 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 concerned ministries and institutions to extend all possible facilities to business 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 the national civil service industry and business and senior government officials.
