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’s employees, recognising 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 employees’ dedication that helped make PIA the world’s second most successful airline,” 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 deliver results will stay with the airline,” he added.
Habib further explained that under the current agreements, the name of PIA cannot be changed. He also pointed out that there are over 14 million Pakistanis living abroad, with more than 70 million people in Pakistan who rely on the airline. “We will encourage Pakistanis to travel exclusively with PIA, which will prioritise services for Hajj and Umrah,” he said.
Additionally, he mentioned the airline’s commitment to promoting sports, akin to the sports initiatives at Naya Nazimabad, which offers facilities for cricket, badminton, swimming, table tennis, and football. “Restoring sports at 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, calling it a positive development for youth sports in the area. At the event, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi distributed prizes, while Pakistan’s Test cricket captain Shan Masood was also present on the occasion.