Peshawar – The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has formally expressed its intent to acquire a stake in Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), proposing an offer exceeding the Rs10 billion bid submitted by Blue World Consortium. In a letter to Federal Minister for Privatization Aleem Khan, KP Board of Investment and Trade (KP-BOIT) Vice Chairman Hassan Masood Kunwar highlighted the province’s readiness to participate in the bidding process to keep PIA under national control.
On behalf of KP’s chief minister and citizens, Kunwar emphasized the province’s commitment to preventing PIA from passing into private or foreign hands. “PIA represents a critical asset for the nation,” the letter stated, underscoring KP’s interest in preserving the national airline's legacy and keeping it within the public sector. The KP government believes that its proposal aligns with the public's interest and strengthens national security by retaining control over PIA domestically.
Kunwar added that the KP government is fully prepared to outbid the Rs10 billion offer from Blue World Consortium, which is reportedly backed by China Southern Airlines. The province intends to ensure that PIA remains a state-owned entity and does not “sell at a throwaway price.”
The KP administration has sought an urgent meeting with the privatization ministry to discuss its proposal and present a detailed plan for PIA’s future. Kunwar emphasized that KP’s bid is a genuine effort to protect a vital national asset, rather than a political maneuver. He criticized the federal government’s privatization expenses, suggesting that selling PIA at a minimal profit after substantial spending would be “unjust” to the people of Pakistan.
In response to concerns over PIA’s management, Kunwar assured that KP is working with technical and financial partners to acquire and restructure the airline, ensuring professional management free from political influence. The provincial government has involved experts in planning a revitalization strategy, aiming to restore PIA’s operational and financial stability.
The KP-BOIT’s interest in acquiring PIA may also open doors for other investors within the province, Kunwar stated, allowing local stakeholders to contribute to preserving the airline’s legacy and securing its future.
Written by: Shah Behram Iftikhar (Punjab University)
