The Punjab government reversed its stance on acquiring Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Monday, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur confirmed his government’s intention to outbid the current Rs10 billion offer from the Blue World City consortium.
The privatisation process of PIA stalled after the only bid was significantly below the government’s expectation of Rs85 billion, with Blue World City’s offer falling short by Rs75 billion.
Read more: Nawaz Reveals Maryam’s Proposal to Rebrand PIA as ‘Air Punjab’
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari stated that the Punjab government never planned to buy PIA, dismissing any claims made by Mian Nawaz Sharif about the purchase. She criticized the KP government’s attempt to acquire the airline, questioning how a province struggling to pay employee salaries could take on such a large investment.
Meanwhile, KP Chief Minister Gandapur defended his government’s bid, emphasizing that KP had achieved revenue growth and financial stability, unlike other provinces.
He expressed determination to secure PIA, claiming that overseas Pakistanis from KP were eager to support the bid. The KP government maintains that its offer to buy PIA is genuine and not politically motivated, aiming to run the airline professionally.
