PIA privatization scandal: Deadline extended to facilitate disqualified bidders

ISLAMABAD: As the privatization saga of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) continues, Blue Group of Companies (BGC), one of the bidders, has accused the Privatization Ministry of irregularities in the bidding process.

In a video statement, the Founder of BGC and chairman of Blue World City, Saad Nazir, accused the privatization commission of hijacking the bidding from the aforementioned company.

He claimed that Blue World City was the only bidder that submitted the complete details including consortium to the commission before the deadline and qualified for the acquisition of the national flag carrier.

Furthermore, he added that the deadline to submit bid money was September 27, and Blue World City tried to submit it on September 26  but the privatization commission denied accepting the money citing some unlogical issues.

“On the night of September 26, the Privatization Commission extended the deadline to submit papers for the bidding process which was earlier set on Sept 25 to facilitate those companies who failed at first,” he asserted.

As the deadline surpassed, the Privatisation Commission is trying to accommodate the disqualified bidders, who failed to provide the bid money for running an airline, which has a liability of Rs 200 Billion.