Prime Minister’s Adviser on Privatization Muhammad Ali has expressed confidence that Fauji Fertilizer Group’s participation in the consortium seeking to acquire Pakistan International Airlines could prove advantageous for the national carrier.
Speaking at a press briefing in Islamabad, the adviser said the airline’s greatest strength lies in its route network, not merely its aircraft. He noted that privatization offers an opportunity to correct long-standing issues caused by weak governance, outdated decision-making, and failure to adapt to modern aviation technology.
Muhammad Ali highlighted that PIA currently serves around four million passengers annually and maintains nearly a 30 percent share of the market. He recalled that while the airline once operated close to 50 aircraft, its fleet should have grown significantly over time but instead declined due to mismanagement. He said a successful privatization process could gradually restore PIA’s position and contribute positively to the country’s GDP.
Officials also shared details of the airline’s current fleet, which consists of 33 aircraft, with only 19 operational. This includes 16 Airbus A320s, of which 11 are active, and 12 Boeing 777s, with six currently in service. Most of the aircraft were acquired before 2010, while a smaller number joined the fleet between 2010 and 2017.
Out of the total fleet, 20 aircraft are owned by PIA, while 13 are leased.
The adviser noted that PIA’s performance began deteriorating after the 1990s, and multiple privatization attempts in 1999, 2005, and 2024 failed to materialize. He added that since 2015, the airline has recorded losses of billions of rupees annually, largely due to poor digital adoption and inability to compete in a rapidly evolving global aviation market.
Muhammad Ali further stated that the expression of interest for PIA’s privatization was issued on April 24, 2025, with the process concluding on December 23, 2025, marking the first successful completion of the airline’s privatization after several unsuccessful efforts.
