Pakistan Sells National Airline for $412M in Landmark IMF-Mandated Deal

Pakistani stockbroker has placed the winning bid of to acquire a stake in the state-owned . The deal, which concluded Tuesday after an open sale with three bidders, marks a critical step in the country's economic reform agenda driven by the .

The IMF's Hand

This privatization isn't just a business deal; it's a core condition of Pakistan's loan program with the . According to reports, the fund has consistently pushed Islamabad to divest loss-making state-owned enterprises (SOEs) like to stabilize the nation's fragile finances and reduce the burden on taxpayers.

A Privatization Bellwether

The sale is widely seen as a litmus test for more than 20 other divestments in the pipeline. A successful transition could build momentum and signal to international investors that Pakistan is serious about its reform commitments. It's a high-stakes move intended to unlock foreign capital and boost economic efficiency.