Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the relevant authorities to complete all phases of the government's privatization program within the prescribed timeframe, stressing that all targets and implementation timelines must be strictly followed.
Chairing a meeting to review progress on the privatization of state-owned enterprises, the Prime Minister instructed officials to design the privatization process of the Agricultural Development Bank in a way that preserves its core mandate and its vital role in Pakistan's agricultural sector.
He emphasized that, even after privatization, the bank must continue prioritizing the provision of agricultural loans and financial support to small and medium-sized farmers. He noted that ensuring farmers' access to financial resources is essential for increasing per-acre agricultural productivity.
During the meeting, the Ministry of Privatization briefed the Prime Minister on the overall privatization program, progress made so far, and future targets.
Officials informed the meeting that a total of 27 state-owned enterprises are included in the government's privatization agenda across three phases. The financial closing process for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and First Women Bank has been completed, while the first financial closing and transfer of management control of PIA were finalized on June 29, 2026.
