President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (Conversion) (Repeal) Bill, 2026, completing what authorities described as the final legal step required for the privatisation of the national flag carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). According to an official statement from the Presidency, the assent fulfils all necessary legal formalities and requirements for […]
PIA privatisation
Arif Habib group plans complete PIA takeover, boosts airline transformation
Arif Habib Group has announced plans to acquire the remaining 25 percent government stake in Pakistan International Airlines, completing the airline’s full privatisation. The move aims to give the consortium operational control, streamline decision-making, expand the fleet, and improve passenger services across domestic and international routes. Group CEO Shahid Ali Habib stated that the acquisition […]
PIA joins Air France–KLM to boost global cargo
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has signed a strategic cargo partnership with Air France–KLM to expand its global freight network. The agreement allows exporters to use a single air waybill for consignments across Europe and the United States. This move strengthens PIA’s international cargo connectivity amid major institutional reforms. Effective January 15, PIA Cargo now links […]
PIA privatisation enters crucial next phase
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is moving into the next stage of privatisation, with the government weighing the sale of its remaining 25% stake. Officials said the stake is valued at about Rs45 billion and could be divested within three months. The move follows the transfer of 75% management control to a private consortium led by […]
Privatisation Commission seeks experts to speed up sell-offs
ISLAMABAD: Following the successful privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the Privatisation Commission has proposed hiring market-based experts to strengthen its institutional capacity and accelerate the government’s privatisation agenda over the next year. Read More: Open bidding for PIA privatisation today The proposal was shared during a briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on Privatisation on Friday, […]
Lessons from PIA’s privatisation go far beyond the sale price
The transfer of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to private ownership has been widely welcomed as a step toward reform. However, much of the debate has focused narrowly on the sale price, overlooking deeper structural and governance issues that shaped the outcome. A closer examination shows that privatisation did not create PIA’s massive financial burden but […]
Cabinet urged to approve Rs135bn PIA privatisation
The Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCoP) recommended approving a Rs135 billion bid for 75 percent shares of PIA. The consortium is led by the Arif Habib Group. The committee, chaired by Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, urged the cabinet to approve the deal promptly. The Arif Habib-led consortium submitted a top bid 35 percent above the […]
PIA privatisation to create jobs, not cut staff, says Arif Habib
Arif Habib, chairman of the investment firm that acquired a controlling stake in Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), has said the airline’s privatisation will lead to job creation rather than layoffs, as the new owners plan to expand its operations. Read More: Arif Habib says no final decision yet on buying PIA’s remaining 25 shares Speaking on DawnNewsTV’s […]
PIA privatisation aims to restore airline’s lost glory: Tarar
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Wednesday said the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) marks the beginning of a journey to restore the national carrier’s lost glory and end years of financial strain on the public exchequer. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside Adviser on Privatisation Muhammad Ali, Tarar termed the transaction a […]
PSX extends losses amid cautious PIA-led trade
KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its losses on Tuesday as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of the bidding process for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), keeping trading volatile and largely range-bound. Read More: PSX loses 130 points to close at 171,073 points Market sentiment remained subdued throughout the session, with sharp intraday swings reflecting […]