The PIA Employees’ Combined Bargaining Agent (CBA), People’s Unity, has made a last-ditch appeal to halt the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Ltd (PIACL), urging the government to delay the signing of the share purchase agreement (SPA) and the transfer of management control to the Arif Habib-led consortium. The union described the move as necessary until its objections and a proposed counter-offer are formally reviewed.
In letters sent to the PIA board of directors, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Privatisation, the union alleged that the privatisation process lacked transparency and excluded employees from meaningful participation.
It maintained that, as a key stakeholder, the CBA possessed the technical expertise and institutional knowledge required to rehabilitate the loss-making national carrier through professional management and a competent board.
People’s Unity President Hidayatullah Khan criticised the government for what he termed a repeated “blunder,” citing the Arif Habib Group’s failed attempt to acquire Pakistan Steel Mills in the mid-2000s, which was later declared illegal by the Supreme Court.
He also referred to recent penalties imposed by the Competition Commission of Pakistan on steel companies linked to the group for cartelisation.
The union raised concerns over the transfer of 75 per cent shares along with management control, arguing that the process lacked proper valuation of assets and due diligence.
It further alleged that the privatisation was approved without involving the Council of Common Interests and questioned whether the amended PIA Act of 2016 permitted outright privatisation through majority ownership transfer.
Quoting the Supreme Court’s 2006 ruling on Pakistan Steel Mills, the union warned that procedural flaws could render the PIA privatisation legally vulnerable. It threatened to challenge the process before parliamentary committees and courts, while reiterating that PIA’s workforce, given proper oversight and governance, was capable of turning the airline around without privatisation.
