An overseas Pakistani consortium, Al Nahang, has proposed acquiring Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) for over Rs1 trillion, including a commitment to clear the airline’s Rs250 billion debt.
Al Nahang has reportedly submitted a formal offer via email to the ministers of privatisation, aviation, and defence, detailing its strategy to rejuvenate PIA.
The proposal includes assurances that no PIA employees will be laid off and outlines a gradual salary increase plan, doubling wages over 30 pay cycles.
In addition, the group has presented an extensive business plan aimed at modernizing PIA’s fleet with advanced aircraft and transforming the airline into a maintenance hub for other carriers.
PIA is also seeking a new Chief Executive Officer to succeed Amir Hayat, whose term has concluded at the national airline.
An advertisement has been placed, inviting applications within 15 days from qualified candidates aged 45-57. Applicants must have at least 20 years of experience in leading a large organization or 10 years in aviation industry management.
In a separate incident, following corruption allegations raised by the Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SAEP), PIA attempted to seal the SAEP office.
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When the PIA Security team arrived, engineers responded by locking the office themselves. SAEP Secretary Owais Khan Jadoon accused PIA of using “cheap tactics” to suppress exposure of alleged corruption, noting that the PIA team arrived without a written order.
In contrast, a PIA spokesperson stated that the team had a written order and denied the corruption claims. The spokesperson criticized SAEP’s new leadership, describing their conduct as “deplorable,” and explained that PIA is selling faulty engines according to industry standards and regulations, calling it a routine practice in aviation