Lt Gen (Retd) Anwar Ali Hyder has been named the first Chairman of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL) following the successful transfer of management control to the Arif Habib Corporation-led consortium as part of the airline’s privatization.
The appointment marks the beginning of a new era for Pakistan’s national carrier under private ownership after the completion of the first financial closing of the privatization deal. With the transaction finalized, the investor consortium has officially taken over the management of the airline.
Hyder, who currently serves as the Managing Director of Fauji Foundation, will head the board of the newly privatized PIA and oversee its transformation strategy aimed at improving operational performance and long-term growth.
Speaking after his appointment, Hyder said that although the airline has entered a new ownership structure, its commitment to serving the people of Pakistan remains unchanged.
He emphasized that PIA would continue to honor its legacy while transforming into a modern, customer-focused airline. The new management plans to enhance passenger services, expand the airline’s route network, modernize operations, and improve overall efficiency.
The appointment comes after the completion of the initial phase of the privatization process, during which the consortium made its first payment to the federal government and injected fresh capital into PIACL. The new investment is expected to strengthen the airline’s financial position, support fleet modernization, and accelerate future expansion plans.
