Privatisation Commission Rejects Reports of No Foreign Investor Interest in PIA

ISLAMABAD — The Privatisation Commission has strongly refuted media reports claiming a lack of foreign investor interest in the ongoing divestment of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL), terming the coverage “misleading and factually incorrect.”

In a rejoinder issued on Tuesday, the Commission took serious notice of identical news items published on June 21 by Daily Jang, Express News website, and other outlets, which alleged that no foreign entities participated in the process to sell between 51% and 100% of the national carrier’s shares. The reports also accused the Commission of excluding major local business groups from the process.

“The Commission strongly rejects these assertions,” the statement said, pointing out that on June 19, it officially released the list of interested parties who submitted Expressions of Interest (EOIs) and Statements of Qualification (SOQs). The list, it emphasized, includes a consortium featuring two foreign entities, clearly demonstrating international investor participation.

The Commission further clarified that three parties failed to submit their SOQs by the official deadline of June 19, 2025, and were thus automatically disqualified based on procedural grounds, without any discretionary involvement from the Commission.

Responding to claims about the exclusion of a group of PIACL employees, the Commission stated that while it had received an email showing their interest, the group failed to submit a formal EOI despite a submission deadline extension. As such, they were not eligible for inclusion in the bidding process.

Read more: PIA Suspends Flights to Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Dubai Amid Escalating Tensions

Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and fairness, the Privatisation Commission stated that the PIA divestment process remains rules-based and in the national interest. It warned that “misleading reports not only spread misinformation but also risk damaging investor confidence” at a critical stage of the privatisation effort.