BREAKING: Supreme Court Gives Green Signal to PIA Privatization

Islamabad (Daily Pakistan Online) In a significant development, the Constitution Bench of Pakistan’s Supreme Court has lifted its stay order on the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). The bench, headed by Justice Aminuddin, heard the PIA privatization case and allowed the government to proceed with the privatization process.

According to the Additional Attorney General, the Supreme Court had previously permitted PIA’s management to recruit new professionals, paving the way for the government to initiate the privatization process. However, no new recruitments were made due to the ongoing privatization process. The Additional Attorney General also stated that the commission intends to restart the privatization process, and the ban on PIA’s flight operations has been lifted.

Justice Aminuddin noted that the re-privatization process may involve higher rates. Meanwhile, Justice Jamal Mandukhel clarified that the government’s decision to privatize PIA does not violate the Supreme Court’s order, which required the privatization process to be taken into confidence with the court. An application has been filed with the Supreme Court to seek its confidence in the privatization process, and Justice Mandukhel assured that the court will give its confidence, allowing PIA to proceed with the privatization in a transparent manner.