Reports of Turkish Airlines' possible interest in the Pakistani airline Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) have led to a public clarification.
Turkish Airlines has firmly denied speculations circulating in several media outlets. The airline stressed that it has no intention of acquiring a stake in PIA. A Turkish Airlines spokesman said: "The news is not true."
Pakistan has put PIA out for privatization and a bidding process has been launched. According to Pakistan's Transport Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, six interested parties have registered, including an "airline from Turkey". This led to speculation about Turkish Airlines, which has now been denied.