Privatization process of PIA is underway & will be completed soon: Abdul Aleem Khan

LAHORE, Nov 03 (SABAH): Minister for Privatization, Investment and Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has said that the government is making serious efforts to promote foreign investment in the country.

Talking to the media in Lahore on Sunday, Abdul Aleem Khan said that the privatization process of PIA is underway and will be completed soon. He said that the decision to privatize various institutions was made in the national interest, and the national institutions cannot be sold at throwaway prices.

Abdul Aleem Khan remarked that the people of Pakistan can no longer bear the burden of PIA. He stressed that there is a formal procedure for privatization that is strictly followed and said that other institutions, in addition to PIA, will also be privatized.

He also mentioned that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has expressed interest in purchasing PIA, stating that it would be a positive development, if the governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh were to run PIA together.

The Minister added that the National Highway Authority has earned a profit of 50 billion rupees within one year and achieved record growth during his tenure. He clarified that he is not using any official vehicle from any ministry and has personally covered the expenses of foreign trips.

Abdul Aleem Khan further said that he established the privatization office using his own resources and did not claim any travel or daily allowances for foreign trips and meetings.