Major (retd) Khurram Mushtaq appointed new PIA CEO

Major (retd) Khurram Mushtaq has been appointed as the new CEO of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) following the expiry of the term of outgoing executive Air Vice Marshal Aamir Hayat.

The newly appointed CEO, hailing from Okara, is a long-time PIA employee and the son-in-law of Rao Sikandar Hayat, a former Minister of Defense.

The decision to appoint Mushtaq was made in a meeting of the board of directors. He will assume the role of PIA CEO effective December 5th.

Khurram Mushtaq is one of the most senior officials at PIA and possesses extensive aviation experience. 

He has previously served as the head of various departments within the national carrier, including commercial, airport services, flight services, security, and vigilance.

Earlier, it was speculated that Air Vice Marshal Aamir Hayat would likely continue his tenure until the privatisation of PIA. 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had appointed the Air Vice Marshal as CEO during the PDM government for a one-year term.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court's constitutional bench withdrew the order to privatise the national airline (PIA) and disposed of the case.

In November, after nearly four and a half years, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) lifted the ban on flight operations of Pakistan's national airline PIA and private airline Air Blue in Europe.

Recently, Pakistani-origin British Member of Parliament Yasmin Qureshi also sent a letter to the Secretary of the British Department of Transport demanding the lifting of the ban on flights of the national airline in the UK.

Earlier, after failing to secure the necessary bid for the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the current government is now considering a government-to-government sale of the national airline, according to media reports.