PIA privatization is possible by November of this year, the Senate Standing Committee said

• Four businesses participate in the race and two fail to meet the standards.
• The Senate Committee is considering progress on PIA, Discos, Gencos, PMDC.
• Senators raise concern about PIA’s debt and energy bid.

Islamabad: The Senate Committee on privatization has been informed of the possibility of privatizing Pakistani International Airlines (PIA) by November 2025, The news reported on Tuesday.

The secretary of the Ministry of Privatization informed the Commission that there are four companies participating and should set up consortia with established airlines for the operation of the PIA, while two candidates were excluded because they did not meet the standards.

The permanent committee with Senator Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan to the President held her meeting to revise the progress of basic privatization initiatives, including PIA, DISCOS, Genco and Pakistan Minerals Devel (PMDC).

The agenda focused on the state of compliance with previous recommendations, the impact of the abolition of a buyer model and the latest developments in privatization of state -owned enterprises.

Senator Zeeshan Khanzada expressed concerns about the debt of the PIA 650 billion, in which President Afnan Ullah Khan suggested that the two PIA hotels could be sold in compensation obligations. The Commission also discussed the performance of the PMDC. PMDC chief financial manager (CFO) has reported significant progress in carbon and salt extraction, with new salt and soda production.

However, Senator Umer Farooq strongly opposed his privatization, stating: “This company benefits Balochistan very much.

Employees of the Power Directorate informed the Commission that the Nandipur power plant and the Guddu power plant are on the privatization list and under the privatization process. “Eight important issues of Nandipur have been resolved, with only one pending related to the gas market and selling agreement,” officials said.

They added that the government is still deciding whether to provide a special gas supply or continue the current gas supply arrangement only when available.

Concerning the Guddu electricity plant, officials noted that four of the nine issues have been resolved, while remains differences include land transport, as the factory land is still registered with WAPDA. “Wapda has already issued a NOC and the transfer process is ongoing,” they said.

Senator Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan underlined the importance of resolving the energy benefit problem for the success of privatization.

“The availability of gas in the country is a critical concern. Until the investor has guaranteed gas, how will electricity be created?” he questioned.

He also noted that a long -term gas supply agreement will be decisive for privatization, but the preparations of the Power Department are still incomplete.

Employees of the power management have confirmed that Nandipur will receive the DANA supply, while Guddu will be provided by Kandkot Field. They also revealed that a dedicated market operator has been created to open the market for electricity market and sell, while 3,000 MW is expected to negotiate in the first phase.

Regarding the privatization of the records, officials said that three companies are currently on the privatization list.

The Secretary of Privatization emphasized: “The financial adviser dealing with Discos has completed significant bases.

Senator Zeeshan Khanzada questioned the strategy, asking why the government was selling profitable companies in the first phase.

Privatization Secretary replied: “Investors are of course more interested in profitable companies. Even if government entities were given free of charge, it would still be the right decision because it cannot remain profitable in the future.”

In concluding the Summit, the Commission emphasized the need for clarity in the power agreements, debt restructuring and protecting profitable assets before proceeding with privatization.