Pakistan's failed national airline sale threatens privatization drive

Government received just one lowball bid for Pakistan International Airlines

2024-11-12.PIA

Pakistan International Airlines hasn't booked a profit in 20 years and relies on government subsidies. © Reuters

ADNAN AAMIR, Contributing writer

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan's failed bid to sell its national airline threatens the future of a high-profile privatization drive seen as crucial to helping fix the country's battered economy.

The government last year picked Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) as the test case for unloading money-losing state companies, with a target to fetch at least $305 million for a majority stake in the struggling carrier.

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