October 11, 2026
Pakistan Cancels 42 Flights as Riyadh Routes Are Suspended
Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and Multan all recorded cancellations as PIA suspended Riyadh flights. Thousands of Umrah pilgrims are left waiting.
Articles for tag: Aviation, houthi, PIA, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Umrah
June 28, 2026
PIA Returns to UK Skies as First Islamabad-Manchester Flight Takes Off After Five-Year Ban
Pakistan International Airlines resumed direct flights to Britain on 25 October 2025, ending a five-year suspension imposed after the 2020 Karachi crash.
June 26, 2026
PIA Set for June Handover as Government Races to Clear Legal Hurdles for $482m Sale
The government says Pakistan International Airlines will be handed to the Arif Habib-led consortium by the end of June 2026 after months of delay, once outstanding legal conditions tied to the Rs135 billion deal are cleared.
PIA partners with Canadian and UK rail networks to offer ‘air-rail travel’
A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane prepares to take off at the Alama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore. — Reuters/File Arrivals in Toronto can connect to eight cities in Canada. Flights London, Manchester connect passengers to 50 cities in the United Kingdom. Railway ticket booking through PIA offices, website, mobile app. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has entered into an air-to-rail partnership with leading rail services in Canada and the United Kingdom to facilitate passengers traveling to Toronto as well as destinations in the United Kingdom, the national carrier said on Tuesday. Under the new arrangement, PIA passengers will be able
IMF hails PIA privatization as ‘landmark’ in Pakistan’s reform drive
The representational image shows a PIA plane taking off. — PIA/Archive The IMF says the privatization is in line with the core EFF commitment of $7 billion. Arif Habib-led consortium buys 75% stake for Rs 135 billion. Losses of state-owned enterprises reached Rs 122.9 billion in FY2024-25, according to cabinet data. KARACHI: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has welcomed the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), describing the sale as a milestone in Pakistan’s effort to reduce state involvement in commercial sectors, The News he said, citing Arab News. In a statement provided to Arab News on Saturday, Mahir Binici,
CCoP approves Rs 135bn PIA bid, paves way for Cabinet approval
A PIA plane is pictured in flight. — AFP/File CCoP approves Rs 135bn bid for 75% stake in PIA. Federal Cabinet to review Rs 135 billion PIA privatization deal. PIA’s new owner plans fleet expansion and aircraft overhaul. The Committee on Privatization (CCoP) has approved a Rs135 billion bid submitted by an AHC-led consortium to acquire a 75% stake in Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL) and recommended that the proposal be submitted to the federal cabinet as part of the national carrier’s privatization process. The News reported on Wednesday. The decision was taken at a meeting presided over by
PIA deal, rate cut push PSX to peak
KARACHI: Pakistan’s equity market closed the week ended December 26, 2025 on a strong footing as the KSE-100 index gained 0.58% on a weekly basis, extending its record run amid a convergence of positive macroeconomic and political developments. Investment sentiment was supported by the successful privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which was sold to an AHCL-led consortium for Rs135 billion, marking the country’s first major divestment in nearly two decades and a key milestone under the IMF programme. The market was also supported by the State Bank of Pakistan’s decision to cut the policy rate by 50 basis points
PIA privatization reflects government’s seriousness to shrink commercial footprint: experts
A PIA plane is pictured mid-flight. — AFP/File KARACHI: Experts have hailed the delayed privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) saying the move sends a strong signal to investors that the government is serious about shrinking its commercial footprint and tackling inefficiencies that have drained public resources for years. The News reported on Wednesday. “The government will have to make sustained efforts to get out of business,” Uzair Younus, a Washington-based economic analyst, said in comments to the report. He described the PIA transaction as a turning point, adding that other sectors, particularly energy, should follow. “Privatization and deregulation of
PIA privatization crossed the 172 thousand PSX mark
The KSE-100 Index posted a solid gain of +0.58% on a weekly basis, ending the session on a positive note amid strong investor sentiment. The main catalyst was the landmark privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), completed at Rs 135 billion (about US$480 million), marking one of the largest and most significant privatization deals in Pakistan’s history. The successful auction, won by the Arif Habib-led consortium for a 75% stake, marks a major step towards reducing the government’s burden from loss-making state-owned enterprises and boosting private sector confidence. Market Snapshot – December 26, 2025 Unlock today’s market moves and stay
Fauji Fertilizer joins Arif Habib Consortium in PIA privatization deal
View of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) passenger plane. — APP/File The consortium plans to increase operational aircraft from 18 to 62. Rs 125 billion will be invested in the first year to upgrade land businesses. The new owner is expected to take over in April, subject to approvals. Arif Habib Consortium has announced that Fauji Fertilizer Company Limited has joined its consortium which acquired 75% stake in Pakistan International Airlines with the highest bid of Rs 135 billion in an auction held for the national carrier’s privatization process. The joint venture, in its statement issued on Thursday, said the partnership
