It says more than 14 million Pakistanis live abroad and 70 million depend on the airline in the country.
Prominent businessman Arif Habib has reiterated his commitment to making Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) a profitable airline, emphasizing that employee performance will be the key to job security at the national airline.
Speaking to the media during the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) inter-school final in Naya Nazimabad on Thursday, Habib stated that making PIA a profitable airline is his top priority. He acknowledged the importance of PIA employees, acknowledging that the airline’s success in the past was largely due to their efforts.
“We will provide job security to PIA employees as it was the dedication of the employees that helped make PIA the second most successful airline in the world,” he said. However, he also made it clear that employee retention will depend on performance. “The future of employment at PIA will be determined by performance. Those who achieve results will remain with the airline,” he added.
Habib further explained that under current agreements, PIA’s name cannot be changed. He also noted that there are more than 14 million Pakistanis living abroad, and more than 70 million people in Pakistan depend on the airline. “We will encourage Pakistanis to travel exclusively with PIA, which will prioritize services for Hajj and Umrah,” he said.
He further mentioned the airline’s commitment to promoting sports, similar to the sports initiatives at Naya Nazimabad, which offers facilities for cricket, badminton, swimming, table tennis and football. “Getting sport back in PIA will take time, but it is part of our long-term vision,” he said.
He also praised the PCB’s decision to choose Naya Nazimabad for school cricket, terming it a positive development for youth sports in the area. At the event, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi distributed awards while Pakistan cricket captain Shan Masood was also present on the occasion.
