Fresh approach required to sell off PIA, says minister Aleem Khan

Efforts for the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIACL) would continue and it would require a fresh approach and ‘big-hearted’ decisions, Minister for Privatisation Abdul Aleem Khan told the Senate Standing Committee on Privatisation on Monday. He revealed that the first consultant engaged for the task was deemed unsatisfactory, and now a new consultant would be hired to help move the privatisation process forward, emphasising that the privatisation could only take place if PIA’s financial and operational situation was “clean” and attractive for potential buyers. The minister expressed optimism about the prospects of PIA’s privatisation once these issues are resolved. “We will fix what has been damaged and work with a new consultant to ensure PIA is ready for privatisation,” Mr Khan said.