Bilawal Bhutto opposes privatisation of PIA and PSM

In a recent development, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has voiced his strong opposition to the privatisation policy proposed by the Shehbaz Sharif-led government for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM). Speaking at a Labour Day event in Karachi, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stated that the PPP is against the outright privatisation of these state-owned entities.

Instead of privatising PIA and PSM, the PPP chairman advocated for the revival of Pakistan International Airlines through a public-private partnership model. He emphasized the importance of finding alternative solutions to improve the financial health of these national assets without completely handing them over to private entities.

On the contrary, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been pushing the Pakistani government to proceed with the privatisation of state-owned enterprises as part of the economic reforms agenda. The IMF believes that privatising these entities could play a crucial role in revitalizing Pakistan's economy and attracting foreign investments.

The differing viewpoints on the privatisation of PIA and PSM highlight the complex challenges faced by the Pakistani government in balancing economic reforms with political considerations. As the debate continues, the decision-makers will need to carefully weigh the pros and cons of privatisation to determine the best course of action for the future of these state-owned enterprises.