Archive · 24 Dec 2025
Arif Habib Wins PIA Privatization Bid
Pakistan sold its national airline, PIA, to the Arif Habib Group for Rs 135 billion.
Three companies bid for PIA, and Arif Habib won with the highest offer.
The government will use most of the money to improve PIA, and the new owners must invest more over the next five years.
This is the second time Pakistan tried to sell PIA, and the process was shown live on TV to be fair.
The prime minister said it was the biggest deal in Pakistan's history.
PIA used to be a great airline but had many problems and debts, so the government decided to sell it.
Arif Habib Group won the bid for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) with an offer of Rs 135 billion ($482 million).
Lucky Cement and Airblue were the other two bidders, offering Rs 105.5 billion and Rs 26.5 billion respectively.
The government set a reference price of Rs 100 billion, and the top two bidders engaged in a competitive auction.
The successful bidder will have 90 days to purchase the remaining 25% shares and must invest Rs 80 billion over five years.
The government will allocate 92.5% of the proceeds to PIA for reinvestment and the remaining 7.5% to the government.
- Who
- Arif Habib Group, Lucky Cement, Airblue, Pakistani Government
- What
- Privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)
- When
- December 23, 2025
- Where
- Islamabad, Pakistan
- Why
- To address years of mismanagement and financial liabilities
- Bid Winner
- Arif Habib Group
- Bid Amount
- Rs 135 billion ($482 million)
- Other Bidders
- Lucky Cement, Airblue
- Government's Reference Price
- Rs 100 billion
- Investment Commitment
- Rs 80 billion over 5 years
- PIA's Liabilities
- Rs 654 billion (assumed by government)
- Proceeds Allocation
- 92.5% to PIA, 7.5% to government
- Auction Date
- December 23, 2025
Sources
Arif Habib group wins Pakistan International Airlines bid at $482 million - Telegraph India
Pakistan’s national airline sold for whopping Rs 135 billion. Who’s behind the bid?
Pakistan sells its loss making national airline who bought it and the debt involved
‘National icon sold off like scrap,’ says Pakistani economist about PIA privatisation
