Arif Habib Consortium has already bought 75% of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from the government in December 2025. This was a major step in Pakistan’s aviation sector because it gave private management the power to make decisions for the airline’s operations and growth. The deal was worth Rs135 billion, with part of the amount paid in cash and the rest reinvested into the airline to improve its financial health.
Consortium Plan for Remaining Shares
Now, the consortium has officially announced that it wants to buy the remaining 25% of PIA shares from the government. If this happens, PIA will become a fully privately-owned airline, and the government will no longer have any direct influence over its management.
Expected Timeline
The process requires final approval from the government, and the consortium plans to complete it by April 2026. Once approved, the payment for the remaining shares is expected to be completed within 12 months. This will mark a major step towards complete privatization of the airline.
Impact on PIA Operations
Full private ownership will give the consortium complete control over the airline operations. They will be able to make faster and better decisions regarding routes, fleet management, costs, and service improvements. This change is expected to make PIA more efficient, profitable, and competitive in the aviation market.
Benefits for the Airline
With private management in full control, PIA can focus on modernizing its operations, improving service quality, and reducing losses. The move is expected to create a more professional management system, ensuring long-term stability and sustainable growth for the airline.
Summary
In short, Arif Habib Consortium already owns 75% of PIA and now aims to buy the remaining 25% to make it 100% private. This privatization will allow faster decision making, better management, and improved efficiency. Once completed, it will be a historic milestone for Pakistan’s aviation industry.
