Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that transparency and merit will remain the government’s foremost priorities in the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

He announced that bidding for the national carrier will take place on December 23, 2025, and will be broadcast live on television across the country.

Speaking during a meeting with business figures and company representatives participating in the privatisation process on Wednesday, the prime minister said the government was proceeding smoothly with efforts to restore PIA’s former glory and bring the airline up to modern standards.

He expressed confidence that the airline would soon reclaim its legacy as “Great People to Fly With.”

Shehbaz Sharif said that restoring PIA’s global flight operations would greatly facilitate overseas Pakistanis, adding that modernising the national carrier was also essential for the growth of the tourism sector.

He said he was hopeful that whichever bidder secured responsibility after the auction would devote full energy toward reviving the airline’s image and ensuring its long-term progress.

Federal ministers Ishaq Dar, Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Owais Leghari, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Adviser to the PM Muhammad Ali, Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar, and senior officials attended the meeting.

All bidders participating in the PIA auction were also present and praised the government’s professional and transparent approach to the privatisation process.