The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has officially informed the federal government of its readiness to submit a bid for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), with an offer that would exceed the current highest bid of Rs10 billion from the Blue World Consortium.
In a letter to Federal Minister for Privatisation Aleem Khan, Hassan Masood Kunwar, the vice chairman of the KP Board of Investment and Trade (KP-BOIT), expressed the province’s intent to participate in the bidding process for the sale of PIA. The correspondence emphasized that the chief minister and the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are genuinely interested in acquiring PIA, highlighting its significance as the national flag carrier and a vital national asset.
The letter articulated the province’s desire to position itself as a competitive bidder for this strategic acquisition, underscoring the importance of keeping PIA within government control rather than allowing it to fall into private or foreign ownership. “Understanding the significance of PIA to the nation, the chief minister has directed us to take proactive steps toward this acquisition,” it noted.
The KP government proposed that its bid would surpass the Rs10 billion offer currently on the table from the Blue World Consortium. It also expressed a wish for an immediate meeting with the privatization ministry to discuss the province’s proposal in detail and outline their strategic vision for PIA.
Additionally, sources revealed that the issue was deliberated in a meeting attended by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. Kunwar reiterated that the KP government’s interest in acquiring the airline is not politically motivated but stems from a sincere effort to preserve this national asset from being sold at an undervalued price. He voiced concerns over the federal government’s previous spending of between $25 million and $30 million on the privatisation process, stating that selling PIA for just $35 million would be an injustice to the citizens of Pakistan.
Moreover, Kunwar noted that the Blue World Consortium has ties to China Southern Airlines, asserting that the people of Pakistan would rally to protect their national pride, which boasts a legacy of over 70 years. He mentioned that the KP-BOIT aims to involve other local investors in the bidding process to ensure broader participation in the acquisition of the national airline. “We will not permit the sale of our national carrier at a bargain price,” he affirmed, indicating that the KP government is collaborating with technical and financial experts to ensure effective management of the airline and eliminate political interference in its operations.
