Today marks a critical day for PIA as the government is set to move forward with its final bidding process for the airline’s privatization in Islamabad. The bidding, organized by the Privatization Commission, is taking place at a private hotel, where a select few potential buyers have shown active interest.
Out of six bidders, only the Blue World City consortium has made an advance payment, signaling their commitment to the process. As per the Commission’s procedures, the bids will be submitted and opened on the same day to ensure a transparent selection.
Recent discussions revealed new terms requested by interested parties. Among the main demands is a 76% stake in the airline, but with conditions on employee management. Bidders are pushing for all current PIA employees to be dismissed immediately, expressing concern over potential pension obligations.
This stance sparked deliberations within the Privatization Commission, which sought to secure a grace period to protect employees. However, bidders were reportedly reluctant to commit to any guarantees on staff retention.
Today’s proceedings follow strict regulatory standards, ensuring that the process meets all legal requirements. Despite these efforts, concerns have emerged over the impact of the privatization on PIA employees. As the final stages of the process unfold, questions remain about the future of PIA’s workforce and the government’s strategy to address the workforce concerns.
