PM Shehbaz announces privatisation of state institutions

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday announced the privatisation of government-owned enterprises apart from strategically important state-owned enterprises.

According to the details, the premier chaired a review meeting on matters in line with the Ministry of Privatisation and the Privatisation Commission in the federal capital city. On this occasion, a roadmap for the Privatisation Programme 2024–2029 was presented during the meeting.

PM Shehbaz had directed the broadcast of all phases of the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) live. 

Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz said: "Transparency in the process of privatisation is the topmost priority. It is not the job of the government to do business but to provide a friendly environment for doing investment."

Underscoring the importance of the privatisation, the premier said: "The privatisation of the state institutions will also help save the money of the taxpayers."

It was told in the meeting that the pre-qualification for the privatisation of the PIA will be completed by the end of May. 

Moreover, a discussion on the privatisation of the Roosevelt Hotel was also held.

The government was taking help from the experts to speed up the process of privatisation.

 Privatisation of PIA provides opportunities to local, foreign investors: Abdul Aleem Khan 

Last month in April, Federal Minister for Privatisation Abdul Aleem Khan said on Thursday that the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) provides opportunities to local and foreign investors.

Aleem Khan presided over a meeting of the Privatisation Commission Board in Islamabad. "The importance of the investment will be increased following the restructuring of the PIA," he said.

He said, "Most of the institution's liabilities have been removed from the balance sheet."

"Hopefully, the traders’ community will also express their willingness to acquire the national airlines," Aleem Khan added.