Two of most serious contenders reportedly willing to bring Fauji Fertiliser on board as a partner<\/p>\n
The race to acquire Pakistan\u2019s national carrier, PIA, has officially entered its final stages, with some bidders seeking support from internationally recognised airlines.<\/p>\n
The government\u2019s renewed effort to privatise PIA comes after a failed bid last year, when only one offer, Rs10 billion ($36 million) from real estate developer Blue World City, was received for a 60 per cent stake. The offer, far below the government\u2019s floor price of Rs85 billion ($305m), was rejected.<\/p>\n
The Privatisation Commission reopened the process in April 2025, inviting expressions of interest for a 51 to 100 per cent stake from both local and international investors.<\/p>\n
The most serious potential buyer withdrew due to outstanding loans and tax issues. However, most of these issues have now been addressed, and four bidders have been pre-qualified.<\/p>\n
The pre-qualified bidders include:<\/p>\n
Lucky Cement Consortium, led by Habibullah Khan and others<\/p>\n
Arif Habib Consortium, including Fatima Fertiliser and others<\/p>\n
Fauji Fertiliser and Air Blue, whose position remains less clear<\/p>\n
The first two consortia are considered the most serious contenders; both consortia are reportedly willing to bring Fauji Fertiliser on board as a partner.<\/p>\n