Former Prime Minister and head of the People’s Party of Pakistan, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, critiqued the privatization plans for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), labelling the government’s expectation to net 85 billion rupees from the sale as unrealistic.
The former Prime Minister suggested accepting an offer of 10 billion rupees would be more prudent.
Abbasi, who owns the airline Air Blue, emphasized that a 10 billion rupee bid represents a substantial amount considering PIA’s market valuation and that finding buyers willing to pay more is unlikely.
He served as the head of PIA during Nawaz Sharif’s second tenure. He criticized the current administration’s lack of mandate and effectiveness, accusing it of implementing poorly conceived laws demonstrating governance failures.
On the role of the opposition, Abbasi pointed out that PTI’s current political strategies are primarily focused on securing Imran Khan’s release from prison rather than genuinely addressing national issues or functioning as a legitimate opposition.
Abbasi expressed scepticism about PTI’s expectations that US pressure might aid Khan’s release, dismissing such hopes as wishful thinking.
