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Pakistan takes on issues by bidders over airline safety restriction

Pakistani authorities began satisfying those certified to bid for the nation's national airline company on Wednesday, to deal with concerns consisting of a European Union Aviation Security Firm (EASA) ban on the carrier, officials said.

The privatisation of the loss-making state-owned enterprise has actually long been on the International Monetary Fund's list of recommendations for Pakistan, which is looking for to strike a deal with the fund for a longer term bailout this month.

Islamabad permitted six companies and consortiums in June to take part in bidding for between 51% -100% of Pakistan International Airlines as early as the end of next month.

The EU security restriction was among the primary issues the bidders have actually raised, Privatisation Commission secretary Usman Bajwa told a media instruction together with Privatisation Minister Abdul Aleem Khan.

The minister wouldn't reveal just how much the federal government was expecting to raise however stated the bidders were showing keen interest due to the fact that the airline company paid barring its legacy financial obligation and liabilities.

I've no clue what money it will get, he said. Anyone who puts in money ... who buys PIA will be in make money from the extremely initially day.

EASA prohibited the airline from its most profitable routes in Europe and Britain after a PIA airplane crash in Karachi in 2020 killed nearly 100, followed by a scandal over pilot licences.

Separately, the PIA owned Roosevelt hotel in Manhattan is being sold in addition to other government possessions including Home Structure Financing Business and First Lady bank, as part of the wider privatisation drive, Bajwa said.

He said realty investment management services company, JLL is advising on a potential sale, joint venture or lease of the residential or commercial property and the federal government is hoping to decide what path to take by August.

(source: Reuters)