Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Govt Expresses Interest in Buying PIA

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade (KP-BOIT) Friday express its interest in participating in the bidding process for the sale of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).  In a letter to Federal Minister for Privatization Abdul Aleem Khan, KP-BOIT Vice Chairman Hasan Masood Kanwar said that on behalf of “the Chief Minister/ Chairman and the people of KP” the letter serves as our formal intent to position the Government of KP as a competitive bidder in this strategic acquisition.   “As Pakistan’s National Flag Carrier, PIA represents a critical asset for the nation, symbolizing our national identity and pride. Recognizing the importance of retaining PIA within the national fold, the Chief Minister has directed us to actively pursue this acquisition to ensure the airline remains under the control of the Government of Pakistan rather than transferring to any private or foreign-backed entity,” the letter reads.  In line with this commitment, we are prepared to offer a bid that will surpass the current highest offer of Rs. 10 billion by Blue World Consortium, ensuring a strong and competitive position within this process, the letter said.  We respectfully request that the Government of KPK’s proposal be considered as a viable option to retain the National Flag Carrier within a provincial government structure, preserving PIA’s legacy and aligning with the public’s interest in maintaining national assets. Further, we would be honored, if afforded, an immediate opportunity to meet with your team to present our proposal in detail, discuss our strategic vision for PIA, and elaborate on our capacity to meet and exceed the highest bids, Kanwar says in the letter.