Islamabad, In a significant development towards enhancing Pakistan’s aviation sector, Federal Minister for Defence, Defence Production, and Aviation, Khawaja Muhammed Asif, chaired a crucial meeting focused on the outsourcing of airports and the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). The session welcomed the participation of top officials, including the Secretary of Aviation and the Secretary Privatization Commission, underscoring the government’s commitment to revitalizing the national airline and optimizing airport operations.

According to Press Information Department, the meeting illuminated the international interest in the initiative, with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) revealing that investors from Germany, France, the Netherlands, Qatar, the UAE, Malaysia, and Turkiye, alongside local groups, have expressed eagerness to engage in the transaction. Minister Asif instructed the organization of an online meeting with Pakistani Ambassadors in these countries to foster direct engagement with potential investors, emphasizing the need for a collaborative approach to attract global investment.

The Secretary of the Privatization Commission, Usman Akhtar Bajwa, briefed the minister on the marketing strategy and preliminary interactions with international investors from the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye regarding the privatization of PIACL. Minister Asif’s directive for active, in-person engagement with these investors and his assurance of government-to-government level engagements reflect a strategic move to accelerate the privatization process and secure the best outcomes for Pakistan’s aviation industry.

This meeting marks a pivotal step in the government’s efforts to introduce efficiency and innovation within the national airline and airport management through strategic partnerships, aiming to elevate Pakistan’s standing in the global aviation market.