His appointment comes at a significant time for the airline, which has recently undergone a major ownership transition following its long-awaited privatisation and is embarking on a fleet modernisation and expansion programme.
The government completed the first financial closing of PIA’s privatisation transaction on June 29, 2026, formally transferring management control to an investor consortium led by Arif Habib Corporation.
The consortium had emerged as the successful bidder in December 2025, securing a 75 per cent stake in the airline through a Rs135 billion bid.
Under the broader privatisation agreement, the investment commitment stood at Rs180 billion, including Rs55 billion payable to the government and Rs125 billion earmarked for fresh investment in the airline.
The leadership transition coincides with another significant development in PIA’s aviation operations: the arrival of its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in Islamabad on November 1.