Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has extended the deadline for the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to June 1, 2025, instead of the earlier target of October. The government is working swiftly to complete the process, ensuring a smooth financial transition and transfer of ownership.
To encourage investors, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has agreed to remove the 18% General Sales Tax (GST) on new aircraft purchases. However, PIA still faces a major challenge with its outstanding liabilities, which amount to Rs 45 billion. To simplify the bidding process, the government has decided to exclude non-core assets from the sale.
Legal experts and key government departments are actively working to resolve any legal or financial obstacles to meet the revised deadline. This move reflects the government’s strong commitment to reforming state-owned enterprises and improving the country’s aviation sector.
