PIA to be more lucrative this time: Aleem Khan

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Privatization, Board of Investment and Communications Abdul Aleem Khan in a special conversation regarding the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has stated that all concerns of the parties interested in the process of privatization of the airline have been addressed properly, says a press release on Thursday.

Moreover, the government has decided to make changes according to the preferences of the interested parties for the sale of PIA. He further mentioned that to make PIA’s privatization more attractive, a new roadmap is being provided and it is expected that all stages of this privatization process will be completed within the next three months.

He emphasized that there is an expectation of better expressions of interest from investors this time around as the introduction of PIA flights to Europe has made the privatization environment even more lucrative and favourable. Due to recent measures, the national airline is ready to become profitable again, federal minister added.

Abdul Aleem Khan further shared that after Europe, flights to the UK will begin within the next three months. He highlighted that PIA is the first choice for travel for the 240 million Pakistanis.

Following Europe and the UK, flights to the United States and the Far East will be functional in the next phase, Abdul Aleem Khan mentioned. He assured that with positive steps, PIA’s credibility be restored and the airline would be brought back to its peak. Aleem Khan also asserted that there is no doubt that PIA still possesses the potential to become profitable once again. He expressed hope that this time, the privatization process would be better and more feasible which would positively impact the overall privatization process, as well.