Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed gratitude over the successful conduct of the bidding process for the privatization of seventy-five percent shares of Pakistan International Airlines and extended congratulations to the nation. The Prime Minister thanked Almighty Allah and said that the bidding process was carried out in a highly transparent manner. He said that upon assuming office, he had pledged to take concrete steps toward the privatization of state-owned enterprises, and the privatization of PIA marks a major milestone in fulfilling that commitment.
According to Radio Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif stated that the privatization of PIA, along with other state-owned enterprises, will play a vital role in further strengthening the national economy. He said that investor confidence in the country’s economy has been restored, and the privatization of PIA is evidence in this regard. The Prime Minister added that the national economy is moving towards greater stability with the cooperation of all state institutions.
He appreciated the efforts of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Adviser on Privatization Muhammad Ali, the Privatization Commission, and other concerned individuals. Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the government’s commitment to national development, prosperity, and public welfare through partnership with the private sector.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a post on a social media platform, said it was our firm commitment to the people of Pakistan that speedy and concrete steps would be taken to privatize loss-making state-owned enterprises that have been a burden on the economy. He said the successful completion of the transparent and highly competitive bidding process for the privatization of PIA marks an important milestone in fulfilling that commitment.
Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Adviser on Privatization Muhammad Ali, and his entire team for successfully conducting and concluding the PIA bidding process with utmost professionalism and transparency. He said that the strong participation of leading business groups and some of Pakistan’s most seasoned and respected investors is a powerful vote of confidence in the economy and its future.
Shehbaz Sharif said that this is work in progress and they will continue their hard work with even greater vigour and perseverance in the days ahead to build a brighter future for the nation.