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Tag: PIA

  • Foreign companies seem uninterested in buying shares of PIA

    Foreign companies seem uninterested in buying shares of PIA

    The privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has started, but foreign companies do not seem interested in buying most of its shares, The Express Tribune reported on Wednesday.

    Sources claimed that only two companies from Gulf countries sent investment documents by depositing $5,000.

    However, both companies have not submitted applications for tenders yet. The last day to submit applications for tenders for PIA’s privatisation is May 3rd.

    Sources within the Privatisation Commission confirmed that they will probably extend the deadline by a month for submitting applications for PIA tenders.

    Officials responsible for privatisation, including the financial adviser for the national carrier, lack experience in attracting foreign investment.

    Pakistani authorities have not received messages about the process yet.

  • Bilawal Bhutto not in favour of privatising PIA

    Bilawal Bhutto not in favour of privatising PIA

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has expressed his opposition to the Shehbaz Sharif-led government’s privatisation policy for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM).

    The PPP chairman said at a Labour Day event in Karachi that his party will try to convince Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb to revive PIA through a public-private partnership instead of privatising it.

    On the other hand, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) urged the Pakistani government to privatise state-owned enterprises to revive the country’s economy.

    However, the finance minister has laid emphasis many times on the importance of privatising state-owned enterprises, including PIA and PSM, for the betterment of the economy.

    Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also said that it will be an “unconstitutional step” if the federal government privatises PIA.

    Former senator Raza Rabbani further clarified that the government’s agenda of privatisation was “unacceptable” to the PPP.

  • PIA by June, then all major airports, privatisation will mark 2024

    PIA by June, then all major airports, privatisation will mark 2024

    Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced on Saturday that the process of privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will be completed by June this year. Islamabad airport might also be privatized shortly after.

    “The government has no business being in business,” the minister declared at a Saturday afternoon news briefing, explaining the government’s plan to divest from state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

    “We expect the bids for PIA to come in the next two to three weeks, and by the end of June or early July, we can move it to the investors,” he said. “The Islamabad airport would be the next,” he added, “followed by the airports in Karachi and Lahore.”

    The finance minister didn’t respond on a question when asked if Pakistan is selling its skies to prospective buyers.

    Mr Aurangzeb didn’t give an explanation when a journalist asked if the government will keep some shares in PIA after privatisation or sell all its shares.

    The minister wrapped up his visit to Washington DC on Sunday with 62 meetings in a week. During these meetings, he explained decisions, made pledges, and sought understanding from both multilateral and bilateral donors.

  • PIA flight carrying Shehbaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz rerouted

    PIA flight carrying Shehbaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz rerouted

    A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Jeddah to Islamabad, carrying Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz back from their visit to Saudi Arabia, was diverted to Lahore on Monday.

    Flight PK842 was supposed to land in Islamabad at 10:30pm on Monday night but was diverted to Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore and landed there at 9:25pm.

    The commercial flight was carrying 393 passengers which had the official delegation returning from Pakistan, including the Defence Minister, the PM, the CM and their family members.

    Videos circulating online showed passengers expressing resentment for the problems caused to them.

    After offloading about 79 passengers at Lahore, the flight did take off for Islamabad and landed there at 11:17pm.

  • When are flight operations for Hajj 2024 starting?

    When are flight operations for Hajj 2024 starting?

    Hajj season is about to begin in the Muslim world. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is all set to facilitate thousands of pilgrims embarking on the sacred journey of pilgrimage to Holy Kaaba in Saudi Arabia.

    SAMAA News has reported that the schedule will commence on May 9th, with flight operations spanning across the second week of May, extending into the following month, catering to the influx of devout Muslims from Pakistan.


    The age limit set by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been lifted while Pakistan’s Hajj quota has been reinstated.

    Hajj 2024 policy

    The results of the Hajj 2024 draw, unveiled in December 2023, selected 63,000 applicants for the pilgrimage under the state-run scheme. Introducing a technological paradigm shift, the Saudi Hajj and Umrah ministry has mandated smartphones for all pilgrims this year, aligning with the contemporary digital landscape.

    Pilgrims are required to use mobile applications throughout their Hajj journey, offering comprehensive guidance ranging from their Hajj flight to accommodation in Saudi Arabia, supplemented by instructional videos. Each pilgrim will receive a complimentary mobile SIM card courtesy of a Saudi telecommunications company, facilitating 180 minutes of international calls.


    Hajj training by the government of Pakistan


    Pilgrims are poised to undergo the second phase of Hajj training conducted by 40 proficient trainers. It will commence on April 15th across 122 locations nationwide. These trainings will familiarize pilgrims with new initiatives and pertinent Hajj-related information.


    To ensure the health and well-being of pilgrims mandatory vaccination protocols are set to commence ten days prior to the commencement of Hajj flights.

    Pilgrims will be equipped with essential amenities including a suitcase, hand carry bag, shoe bag, Ihram belt, and a distinctive green scarf adorned with the Pakistani flag.

  • Govt kickstarts privatisation process for PIA

    Govt kickstarts privatisation process for PIA

    The government, as confirmed by sources within the Prime Minister’s Office, has formally commenced the privatisation procedure for Pakistan International Airlines Corp (PIA) by issuing a gazette notification.

    This notification delineates the transition of the national airline into a government holding company.

    Notably, PIA has experienced a persistent surge surpassing its previous peak performances. Despite being a loss-making entity, the airline has encountered fluctuations in recent trading sessions.

    Its stock price has escalated by 2.37 times this month alone and an astounding 7.6 times within the current fiscal year.

    This rally can be attributed to the new government’s endeavors aimed at restructuring and privatising the airline.

  • 22 flights cancelled as passengers decrease in Ramzan

    22 flights cancelled as passengers decrease in Ramzan

    Due to operational issues of various airlines, 22 flights across the country including eight domestic flights of Quetta have been cancelled today.

    According to PIA spokesperson, as reported by Geo news, the flights had to be cancelled due to not meeting the minimum load of the required number of passengers.

    Aviation reported that today alone, PIA cancelled six flights from Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore to Quetta. PK 310, 311 from Karachi, PK 322, 323 from Lahore and PK from Islamabad to Quetta. K 325, 326 will not be operated today.

    PIA’s Karachi-Gwadar PK-503, 504 flights have also been cancelled.

    Five flights from Karachi to Islamabad, three flights between Karachi to Lahore, two flights of PIA from Islamabad to Sukkur have been cancelled.

  • PIA instructs pilots and cabin crew not to fast while flying

    PIA instructs pilots and cabin crew not to fast while flying

    A new advisory issued by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has instructed pilots and the cabin crew to not observe fast in the month of Ramzan during flights, reports The Express Tribune.

    The directive issued by the manager of the flight safety department at PIA outlined guidelines regarding fasting during the flights.


    It said that fasting can potentially decrease alertness and impair decision-making abilities, which could lead to serious consequences in the emergencies. It also said that even though it is technically feasible, this may reduce the margin of safety, as per corporate safety management and the aircrew medical center’s advice.


    The official circular emphasised that although fasting is a highly important practice in Islam, it disrupts the normal routine and can lead to dehydration, a drop in glucose level, and other physiological changes.


    The directive clearly instructed all fasting cockpit and cabin crew members to abstain from operating flights, highlighting that self-exemptions cannot be claimed even under state law. It emphasised compliance with rules and regulations to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.

  • PIA air hostess slips away in Canada leaving ‘Thank you’ note behind

    PIA air hostess slips away in Canada leaving ‘Thank you’ note behind

    Another air hostess of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) allegedly went missing while on duty in Canada.


    The incident came to light when Maryam Raza, assigned to flight PK 782 from Pakistan to Toronto, failed to report for duty on the return flight, PK 784 from Toronto to Karachi.

    Upon investigation, a note expressing gratitude to PIA was discovered alongside her uniform hanging in her room. “Thank you, PIA”, she wrote, reports Samaa News.

    This marks the third reported case this year of PIA flight attendants allegedly ‘slipping’ while on duty, with two of them being women.

    Despite measures such as collecting passports of flight attendants assigned to Toronto flights to prevent such incidents, the effectiveness of these policies has come under scrutiny.


    Experts cite low pay and a lack of job security within the national airline as the primary reasons behind these alleged instances of slippage but above all it maligns the image of the country on an international level.

    Read more here: Two PIA flight attendants go missing in Canada

  • President Pakistan Olympic Association Lieutenant General (R) Arif Hasan resigned

    President Pakistan Olympic Association Lieutenant General (R) Arif Hasan resigned

    Pakistan Olympic Association (PAO) President Lieutenant General (retired) Arif Hasan resigned from his post after 19 years.

    Lt Gen Retd Arif Hasan wrote in a letter to the Executive Committee of the Pakistan Olympics Association members that he is resigning as President of POA on January 1, 2024.

    He further wrote that the decision was not easy but due to ill health, he needed help to continue the responsibility of heading such an important organization.

    Arif Hasan is currently living in America where he confirmed his resignation when contacted by Geo News, while Secretary POA Khalid Mahmood has also confirmed Arif Hasan’s resignation.

    Arif Hassan was appointed as the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the South Asian Games in 2002, after which he remained active in Pakistan Sports, in 2004 he became the first President of the Pakistan Olympic Association and was then elected for four consecutive terms.

    After the resignation of Arif Hasan, the executive committee of the POA will temporarily decide on the acting president until the next elections.