Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has announced that the government will privatize 24 state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to boost efficiency and reduce financial burdens on the national budget. Among these, the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Speaking at the Future Summit in Karachi, the minister said that the private sector must play a leading role in achieving sustainable, production-driven economic growth. He added that privatization will help improve management, attract investment, and promote competition in key industries.
Aurangzeb highlighted that Pakistan’s macroeconomic indicators are improving, noting a 9% increase in corporate profits and the addition of 900,000 new taxpayers to the national tax net. This, he said, reflects growing business confidence and stronger economic discipline.
The finance minister further stated that Pakistan is now focusing on information technology, the blue economy, and export-led development as major pillars of economic transformation. He explained that digitalization and structural reforms are being introduced to enhance transparency, simplify tax processes, and attract foreign investors.
“The government’s goal is to build a stronger, self-reliant economy that benefits the people, not just the state,” Aurangzeb said.
The decision to sell these state-owned enterprises is part of Pakistan’s broader reform strategy aimed at reducing losses, improving governance, and ensuring that public resources are used more effectively to support economic growth and job creation.
