KP Government Shows Interest in Acquiring PIA

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has shown interest in buying Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). KP’s Board of Investment and Trade (KP-BOIT) vice chairman, Hassan Masood Kunwar, sent a letter to Federal Minister for Privatisation, Aleem Khan. In it, KP-BOIT assured the federal government that it would bid higher than the current Rs10 billion offer by Blue World Consortium.

“This letter shows KP’s commitment to be a competitive bidder in this acquisition,” stated the letter.

PIA as a National Asset

The KP government described PIA as a national asset. Kunwar stressed the need to keep PIA under government control rather than private or foreign hands. “The chief minister directed us to pursue the acquisition to keep PIA within the national fold,” the letter added.

KP Aims to Preserve PIA’s Legacy

The KP-BOIT letter urged the federal government to consider its bid. It outlined KP’s commitment to preserving PIA’s legacy and ensuring it remains public. “We are ready to offer a bid higher than the Rs10 billion by Blue World Consortium,” Kunwar noted.

Request for Meeting on KP’s Bid

KP-BOIT also requested a meeting with the privatisation ministry to present its proposal in detail. KP plans to discuss its vision for PIA and explain how it will enhance the airline’s operations. “Please provide a convenient time for us to discuss this in detail,” the letter urged.

Support from the KP Chief Minister

Sources reported that KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur discussed the bid in a recent meeting. He supports the move, seeing it as a way to prevent PIA from being undervalued in privatisation.

Kunwar’s Comments on Saving PIA

Kunwar clarified to Dawn that KP’s interest in PIA is not politically driven. “This is a genuine attempt to save a national asset from being sold at a throwaway price,” he stated. He noted that the federal government has already spent between $25 million and $30 million on privatisation. Selling PIA for about $35 million, he argued, would be an injustice.

Concerns Over Foreign-Backed Bidder

Kunwar also claimed that Blue World Consortium, the highest bidder, has ties to China Southern Airlines. He argued that KP’s involvement would keep PIA’s ownership within Pakistan. “We won’t allow the sale of the national flag carrier at a throwaway price,” Kunwar asserted.

Kunwar explained that the KP government is working with technical and financial experts for effective management of PIA if its bid succeeds. He emphasized removing political interference in PIA operations. “The airline would be run by experts, not political mafias,” Kunwar added.