EOI Deadline Extended for PIA Privatisation to June 19
Pakistan’s Privatisation Commission has extended the deadline for submitting expressions of interest (EOIs) in the sale of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) by 15 days. Originally set for June 3, the new deadline is now June 19, 2025.
A spokesperson for the Privatisation Commission told Geo News that the extension was granted to accommodate the Eid al-Adha holidays, which fall between June 6 and 10 this year. The spokesperson confirmed that all other terms and conditions for the EOI process remain unchanged. The additional time is also expected to encourage broader participation from potential investors.
The government is offering to sell between 51% and 100% of PIA’s equity, along with management control, as part of a broader plan to privatise unprofitable state-owned enterprises. This follows a failed attempt to privatise the airline last year. Since then, authorities have removed liabilities worth PKR45 billion (USD159 million) from the airline’s books and announced that new aircraft purchases by the future owner will be exempt from an 18% general sales tax.
The privatisation initiative is linked to Pakistan’s agreement with the International Monetary Fund, which includes structural reforms in exchange for a USD3 billion bailout package. The government expects that a buyer of PIA will be responsible for recapitalising the airline, updating its fleet, and taking over day-to-day operations.
The sale is a key part of Pakistan’s effort to reduce its fiscal burden and modernise its aviation sector by bringing in private investment and operational expertise.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com