Finance Minister's Adviser Khurram Schehzad has clarified that the government is neither purchasing aircraft for a privatized Pakistan International Airlines nor has it announced any sovereign guarantee or taxpayer-funded loan for the purpose.

In a post on X, he said some commentary being circulated appears to misunderstand both the privatization process and the role of an export credit agency.

Khurram Schehzad said the mandate of the US Export-Import Bank, like export credit agencies elsewhere, is to support its country's exports and jobs. He said Boeing aircraft are US exports, while US EXIM provides financing support to foreign purchasers of US-manufactured aircraft, including airlines, through established financing structures.

The Adviser further clarified that the Finance Minister's engagement with US EXIM was not confined to PIA but covered potential financing in aviation, refinery upgrades and Reko Diq as part of broader Pakistan-US economic engagement.

He said the government is deliberately reducing the state's role in commercial activity, pursuing privatization and creating greater space for private capital.

Khurram Schehzad said private-sector-led growth means the government enables the private sector rather than running businesses itself.

He added that claims regarding a public loan, hidden subsidy, state backstop or taxpayers assuming PIA's commercial risk should not be presented as facts when no such arrangement has been announced.

The Adviser said the official statement refers only to potential US EXIM financing support and does not announce government borrowing for PIA or a sovereign guarantee.

He said privatization transfers ownership and commercial management, while the government can continue facilitating opportunities for Pakistani companies.