KARACHI, April 9: Zafar Ahmad Khan took over as chairman of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Monday. He has assumed the command at a time when the national carrier faces an acute financial crisis and various challenges, including a European Union ban on most of its aircraft.

Mr Khan has served on various boards of organisations, including Engro Chemicals, Engro Asahi, Engro Vopak, United Bank, Sui Southern Gas Company, Ufone, Pakistan Steel, Unilever Pakistan, Karachi Stock Exchange, National Commodity Exchange, Pakistan Institute of Corporate Governance, Acumen Fund and the State Bank of Pakistan.

An engineer by profession, he got his degree in mechanical engineering from Peshawar University in 1967 and after attending a training programme in Japan, he joined Esso Pakistan Fertiliser Company, later came to be known as Exxon Chemical, and served that organisation for 35 years.