Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is expanding its international network to include Karachi and Riyadh—the principal financial centers of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. PIA already offers flights to Riyadh from Islamabad and Lahore; however, this new service, scheduled to begin January 2, 2026, will be a major boon for the international business communities of both countries.
This development aligns with Pakistan’s plans to boost exports to Saudi Arabia and the broader Gulf Cooperation Council under the URAAN Pakistan Economic Transformation Plan, an economic strategy supported by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
PIA is currently undergoing a major shift as it transitions from government control to private enterprise. Prime Minister Sharif’s advisor on privatization, Muhammad Ali, announced that the government is offering 75 percent of its shares on an auction slated for December 23, with bidders also given the option to purchase the remaining 25 percent at a 12 percent premium. As a guarantee of the airline’s future, the government will only accept 7.5 percent of the winning bid in cash, with the remainder invested in the company itself.
The Ministry of Privatization says that the move will improve PIA’s operational efficiency and allow for PIA’s existing funding to be redirected to other areas. Under the right leadership, 2026 could prove to be the beginning of a second golden age for PIA, boosting the prospects of Pakistan in the process.
