The Islamabad High Court has issued notices to Pakistan’s federal government and other respondents in a legal challenge to the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines. The case centres on the bid process for the national carrier and the decision to name the Arif Habib Consortium as the successful bidder, with the court ordering replies within two weeks.
Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir issued the written order after hearing the petition filed by Peoples Unity of PIA Employees. The challenge questions the legality of the process used to advance the sale of Pakistan’s flag carrier, including approvals granted by the Cabinet Committee on Privatization and the federal cabinet in December 2025.
The petition argues that the process became unlawful after the PIAC Conversion Act 2016 expired at the end of June 2026, before a later extension notification was issued in March 2026. The next hearing has been set for the last week of October 2026, leaving the court review open while the transfer process remains under scrutiny.