Today, June 30, 2026, Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL) steps into a new era. The national flag carrier, PIA, is officially under private ownership. Following this historic shift, the Arif Habib Corporation-led consortium has formally assumed management control. Consequently, they have appointed Lt Gen (retd) Anwar Ali Hyder as the airline’s first Chairman post-privatization.
This appointment marks a bold chapter for the country’s flag carrier. The leadership announcement arrived right after the successful first financial closing of the PIA privatization transaction. During this initial phase, the investor consortium made a direct payment to the government. Furthermore, they injected fresh capital into PIACL. This critical funding will systematically strengthen the airline’s finances. Additionally, it will help modernize the fleet and aggressively support new growth efforts.
Lt Gen (retd) Hyder brings extensive corporate experience to the table. Currently, he also serves as the Managing Director of the Fauji Foundation. Now, he will lead the board of the newly privatized airline. Backed by this fresh private investment, he will guide an ambitious transformation plan. Addressing his new role, Hyder made his priorities clear. He stated that while the airline’s ownership structure has fundamentally changed, its responsibility towards the people of Pakistan remains entirely unchanged.
Looking ahead, the new management has set definitive operational goals. Hyder emphasized that PIA will carefully preserve its historic legacy. At the same time, the carrier will actively evolve into a modern, premium airline. Therefore, the new leadership is focusing heavily on improving the overall passenger experience. Moreover, they plan to expand the airline’s network and consistently deliver operational excellence.
