LAHORE (Dunya News) - Chairman of the Privatization Commission Muhammad Ali said that privatisation aims to boost GDP rather than simply sell assets.
The ninth edition of ThinkFest 2026 concluded at the Alhamra Arts Council on Sunday, wrapping up three days of intense dialogue on Pakistan’s fiscal future and its role in the global climate crisis.
The final day was headlined by Muhammad Ali, Chairman of the Privatisation Commission, in a session titled "Privatization: Easy Way Out or Fundamental Reform?"
Ali provided a candid look at the structural bottlenecks facing the country, revealing that some privatization cases have been languishing for over 20 years due to litigation and investor disputes. Addressing the PIA and PTCL transactions, he clarified that the PIA deal did not involve excessive land transfers and noted that selling 20-year-old aircraft was a practical necessity.
“The goal of privatisation is not merely to sell assets but to foster competition and boost GDP,” Ali stated, warning that replacing a public monopoly with a private one would be counterproductive for the economy.