Consortium aiming to secure complete ownership of PIA
The Arif
Habib Group-led consortium has announced its intention to purchase the
government’s remaining 25 percent stake in Pakistan
International Airlines, aiming to secure complete ownership of the national
carrier.
The government has granted a 90-day window to acquire the remaining shares, valued at around Rs45 billion, with the deadline set for the end of April. According to the agreement signed in January, the consortium has 12 months to complete the transfer of funds.
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of PIA completed with 75% stake sold to Arif Habib consortium
In December 2025, the group acquired a 75
percent stake in PIA for Rs135 billion and pledged to overhaul operations,
expand the fleet, and enhance service standards. Full ownership is expected to
eliminate government involvement in decision-making and fast-track the
airline’s turnaround strategy.
Shahid Ali Habib, chief executive of Arif Habib
Ltd, said the change in sponsorship is likely by late April or early May,
allowing the airline to function as a fully private entity without
government-appointed board members. Management restructuring is planned by the
end of April.
The consortium includes Fatima Fertiliser (34.1 percent), Fauji Fertiliser (33.9 percent), Lake City (16 percent), and a combined 16 percent stake held by the City School and AKD Group. The investors have committed Rs125 billion for the revival plan, while the board has been authorised to raise additional capital for rebranding.
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Habib consortium plans to expand PIA fleet to 64 aircraft, extend operations
Founded in 1955, PIA became a public limited company in 2016 under the Pakistan International Airlines Conversion Act. After approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan in May 2024, the airline was delisted from the stock exchange and transferred to PIA Holding Company Ltd, established in March 2024 to manage the privatisation process.
Source: Profit Pakistan