New PIA chairman appointed

E-Paper | June 08, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The aviation division has appointed Nasser N S Jaffer as the new Chairman of Pakistan International Airlines.

"A notification has been issued after approval from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif," a spokesman for the aviation division told Dawn.

In a statement, Jaffer said that he was "grateful on being given the stewardship of the national flag carrier", adding that he would "endeavour to transform PIA into a profitable and feasible organisation again through a practical business strategy".

The notification said the new chairman would not be taking any salary nor any fringe benefits from the airline and will dedicate his time, experience and knowledge as his contribution to the success of Pakistan and the PIA.

Also read: Fuel-efficient planes, other cost cuts to improve PIA

“PIA has always been a source of pride and prestige both for the people of Pakistan as well for the airline's employees. It is a part of the national heritage and the country’s vision for the future. I am sure that I will be able to add value to the viable growth of this great airline,” he commented.

Jaffer previously served on the PIA's Board from July 3, 2013 to August 1, 2013. He is at present Chairman of the PIA Board’s Information Technology Steering Committee along with being a member of the PIA Board’s Audit Committee and Fleet Management Committee.

He studied at the California Polytechnic State University and infused considerable growth, profitability and positive business results in the performance of the Jaffer group of companies, of which he is the CEO.

Jaffer is also on the boards of other leading business institutions, apart from prominently participating in philanthropy and contributing his judgment and acumen to various organisations engaged in social welfare.

Explore: PIA to be split into two, Gulf airlines may buy core business

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Asif

Oct 18, 2014 05:36pm

Third class planes., please buy new planes and improve services, All PIA crew and employees must make sure well groomed. Thanks

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Harmony

Oct 18, 2014 05:38pm

His first words he is "grateful" for the job. That means another sycophant who will bow to the whims of the ruler.

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ashfaq1

Oct 18, 2014 05:39pm

Waste of time. Should do global search and find a ceo who has experience in rescuing airline and making it profitable

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Ahsan

Oct 18, 2014 05:50pm

Interesting that this individual heads a company that may have a link with a private aircraft services company. Wouldn't that be a conflict of interest? Just a question...

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Khalid

Oct 18, 2014 06:05pm

I would like to find out when was this job announced. How many people applied for the job. How many candidates were considered to be eligible and on what basis?. Who was in the interview committee?. And lastly, why was someone who doesn't even need a salary, has been selected?. Why would he dovte his time and energy for free?. What does he have to lose if he does not succceed. Isn't it surprising that Nawaz Sharif has selected this candidate (I guess in the same manner the Ambassador to Qatar was selected). Why does Nawaz Sharif have to be involved in this decision?. Does he not have anything more important to do?. Another opportunity lost by the Prime MInister. Another non-merit selection.

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mjk

Oct 18, 2014 06:06pm

Privatize it, if not, fire half of the employees most of them free loaders appointed as political favour

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Seyab

Oct 18, 2014 06:20pm

One word solution "Privitization"

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Seyab

Oct 18, 2014 06:20pm

One word solution "Privatization"

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Darkanu

Oct 18, 2014 06:58pm

Privation is no solution of national assets Improve it with experienced and dedicated professionals without obliging the industrialists.

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Abbas khan

Oct 18, 2014 07:14pm

A businessman PM has appointed his crony businessman as a chairman of the National Careier! What a shame. More over he must be a Punjabi, I believe, and may be from Lahore since this what PML N is known for.

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shami

Oct 18, 2014 07:34pm

"The notification said the new chairman would not be taking any salary nor any fringe benefits from the airline and will dedicate his time, experience and knowledge as his contribution to the success of Pakistan and the PIA." Wow what a patriotism! Cannot find any example in world.

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Ray

Oct 18, 2014 08:08pm

His resume/CV looks great. Let's see if you get rid of all the "safarashis" and VIP pleasureres (could not find a proper word in English).

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S. R. KHAN

Oct 18, 2014 08:11pm

According to a composition of 'Mushtaq Ahmed Yusufi'. "while interviewing a candidate for a job of domestic helper Begum sab asked what salary he wanted. He replied " 800 rupees per month and if I am responsible to purchase grocery also, I'll accept 600 rupees". New chairman will spend his time, energy and ability to make PIA a profitable organization but won't take any salary. Wow! The rest readers' food for thought'.

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Ali

Oct 18, 2014 08:15pm

@sham yes. Very patriotic to only have free chauffeur driven mercedez, first class airline tickets for the family (clan) and kickbacks on purchases....

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Shaheen Changezi

Oct 18, 2014 09:02pm

@Seyab ; in case of privatization; what the govt will do to thousands of white elephants and blue eyed persons getting salaries for no work.

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ishrat salim

Oct 18, 2014 09:10pm

good choice...he is patriot & being a CEO of a private company, he will not bow for any one....he must have put a condition of non-interference from any quarter. He is self-sufficient financially, so he has no axe to grind....

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Ajamal

Oct 18, 2014 09:11pm

Good to see someone with proven track record of corporate success. He will not bow down to the political pressure.

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S.R. KHAN

Oct 18, 2014 09:13pm

@Seyab ;even Saudi Arabian Airlines privatize 35% of its cargo division because of the non-productivity of it's own citizens. I am working in Jeddah and came to know that PIA has sent additional staff for haj duty and in accordance with its tradition, five persons are sent for the work of one person.

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Ghulamali

Oct 18, 2014 09:16pm

@Seyab I strongly agree.

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Ahmer

Oct 18, 2014 09:21pm

"endeavour to transform PIA into a profitable and feasible organisation again through a practical business strategy". With due respect, PIA is way past turn around. Privatise it when it is still afloat.

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Abdul

Oct 18, 2014 09:22pm

He is also Chairman of Jaffer Group? Running an airline is much different than running a mom & pop business. Another political appointment.

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kerazy

Oct 18, 2014 09:23pm

So another businessman looking after a state institution... "Conflict of interest"...

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syed wasim haider

Oct 18, 2014 09:24pm

Please let the nation know what was his performance?. Simple as that.

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Vikas Rehman

Oct 18, 2014 09:26pm

PIA is a source of pride and prestige for Pakistanis? I wonder how many would agree with his first statement. As for privatisation, while it could be a solution, who would make sure that the political & financial leadership does not get to buy it for peanuts in the first place? PMLN?

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Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali

Oct 18, 2014 09:30pm

@Ajamal There is nothing proven about this guy. This is a family run business. After attending an average college and no on the job training he can not be called proven and qualified. Professional rating can be described as no experience in aviation and airline and minimum education. Having studied in America does not make a person " educated ".

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Mehtab

Oct 18, 2014 09:58pm

National flag carrier service for international routes is deteriorating despite being expensive airline as compared to it's competitors.

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Kamil

Oct 18, 2014 10:12pm

Would love to see how long he can survive in this position and what good he can do for this airline . No rocket seince needed just fired 50% useless workers who doesn't even know how to take out boarding cards even .

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Kadim Khan

Oct 18, 2014 10:14pm

@Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali Sir -what education do you have ? from where? at least he holds a degree from California Polytech. State Univ. accredited - world wide - in your opinion 'education" from Pak univ. does make one literate. I met several grads having B.A. don't know if Greece and Japan are even countries etc. Now this is the standard of your education. Please refrain from such statements. No magic Jaffer can perform with decades of decay - thousands of nonqualified - political appointee -- magic word- 100% private - sell out to highest bidder - Not only PIA but the entire spectrum of govt. controlled from Banks to Barrages - from filter plants to fertilizer - run the country like a corporation - within a decade - profits will loom - country will bloom- sell the universities - medical - engineering colleges - polytech. etc. look at the example of Japan - Germany - USA. In 1984 I wrote a paper at that time it was West German 17% - Japan 16% - two tiny countries controlled 33% of the entire world trade . In case of West Germany - with immense restrictions - half of the country under USSR -de facto control - in case of Japan over 90% raw material imported . still just these two countries - completely devastated during world war II - pursue the capitalization policies and rose like phoenix from the ashes. Now the level of education of your univ. grade is even lower than the 5th class - I attended in my hay days . M.A. California State Univ. Stanislaus

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Iqbal A.Khan

Oct 18, 2014 10:45pm

It's high time petty politicians stopped interfering in the rejuvenation of the national airline. They are the ones,some heavyweights not excluded, who have brought a one time top airline to its knees!

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IBN E ASHFAQUE

Oct 18, 2014 11:29pm

Please tell the redundant dead wood staff appointed by all shade of politicians to stay at home.

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IBN E ASHFAQUE

Oct 18, 2014 11:31pm

What is the process of appointing Chairman PIA? The king of Lahore issues a notification that is all. No advertisement, no interviews, no due process. Long live the King.

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Dr Hanif Quazi

Oct 19, 2014 12:25am

For the information of all those who made comments and the Editor. I am a Pakistani born (KPK) Agricultural Scientist from New Zealand. In 1985 I was invited by General Fazli to help him in Food Security in the Province. There were social challenges. Once Mr Nasser Jaffar invited for lunch in Karachi and later he sent an PIA ticket which most probably I still have in my record. Sometime later we met again and I asked why did he sent me the ticket. He replied, "I want you to stay in Pakistan and the ticket was to come and see me before leaving". He is 100% committed Pakistani. I only pray for his success and the PIA for the glory of our loving country Pakistan.

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Ahmed

Oct 19, 2014 12:49am

Running an IT business and being chairman of PIA's IT board. Conflict of interest!!!! Isnt it ironic enough?

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Atam Vetta

Oct 19, 2014 12:56am

@shami. When one of the world's biggest US bank Citigroup was in trouble in 2008, the Board turned to a US citizen of Indian origin to become its Chief Executive. He agreed but wanted to no pay till he turns it around. He was granted a pay of $1 per year instead of millions that he could have asked for. He turned it around. Soon after the turn around, the Chairman of the Board left and there were changes in the Board of Directors. He was 'sacked' (asked to resign). Incidentally, he did get $ millions in compensation.

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Usman

Oct 19, 2014 01:20am

Looks like Govt. coming into senses after a nervous breakdown by the dharna's.

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aziz

Oct 19, 2014 01:22am

"He is at present Chairman of the PIA Board’s Information Technology Steering Committee along with being a member of the PIA Board’s Audit Committee and Fleet Management Committee". These are exactly 3 things WRONG with PIA and they chose a person who is part of the fiasco? Perfect! Pakistan will never ever ever never ever learn to do things right.

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aziz

Oct 19, 2014 01:23am

@shami Yes you can. Facebook, Google and other company CEOs don't take any salary or fringe benefits. What they do take is stock options and performance bonus. In this case, he won't take any salary but will probably make big when PIA is privatized.

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Fazal

Oct 19, 2014 01:34am

"The notification said the new chairman would not be taking any salary nor any fringe benefits from the airline". Is he like Mr Abdul Sattar Edhi or his company Jaffar groups have already a profitable business with a unprofitable PIA?

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kirther

Oct 19, 2014 03:42am

What change can he bring about first step is get rid of political appointees and those appointed on quota basis new appointments must be made only on the basis of merit and actual need.

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Awais

Oct 19, 2014 03:52am

http://www.jaffer.com/about/CEOMessage.aspx Look at his experience in managing an airline company !

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Tamza

Oct 19, 2014 04:59am

So the privatization proposal of many months ago has been hidden. The readon this guy is not taking any salary etc is because he will make it up upon the privatization, same as Putin's friends in Russia. Of course NS is no Putin. The privatization proposal was: Mansha gets the company, whole the state absorbs the losses for the next 10 years, but Mansha keeps all the gains.

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A PIA watcher

Oct 19, 2014 05:23am

Apparently, someone with experience running a group of chemical companies can run an airline well on behalf of government.

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Confused

Oct 19, 2014 05:37am

The government's responsibility is towards the health and welfare of its people. It should not be in the business of airlines. Privatize it - but please make sure that its majority owned by Pakistanis. We do not want Arabs to treat us like 2nd class citizens in our own country.

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Fawad

Oct 19, 2014 07:17am

What was the procedure? How was he selected?

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IBN E ASHFAQUE

Oct 19, 2014 09:49am

@Kadim Khan The Universities in Germany are not privatised. They charge zero fees even from international students. The privatization process in Pakistan like in many other parts of the world will result in robber barons owning PIA and they will fleece the public. Why can't we have PIA under public ownership like we had under late Air Marshall Nur Khan, when PIA was PIA.

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IBN E ASHFAQUE

Oct 19, 2014 09:58am

@aziz I agree with you. Without due process in appointing the Chairman of PIA the results will be the same. NS and his team are at their wits end, in order to manage Pakistan. They do not or cannot understand the basics of governance. Look at the fiasco at Nandipur Power Project, the Entrepreneurship scheme rolled under Mariam Nawaz, and now this appointment of PIA chairman without due process. May Allah give Pakistan good leadership, who understand and implement the basics of governance, we have everything else given by Allah. Zara nam ho tou yeh mittee bari zarghez ha saqee.

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IBN E ASHFAQUE

Oct 19, 2014 10:00am

@A PIA watcher It is not to run the airline but prepare it for privatization (qurbanee) so that more resources can be squeezed from the public and the public exchequer.

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Naseer

Oct 19, 2014 02:14pm

Why is the opposition is in silence,before Khussheed shah was critising appointment and privatisation is there a deal again Shareef and Zardaris.

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Dr syed Kaleem imam

Oct 19, 2014 03:22pm

This is a prudent decision, as Mr Nasser Jaffar is true professional who blends competence with integrity; he is known for dynamism, believes in team work and is the right man to restructure and reform chronic ailing Organization Al the best !

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Dr syed Kaleem imam

Oct 19, 2014 03:27pm

This is a prudent decision; as Mr Nasser Jaffar is true professional who blends competence with integrity; he is pro active, known for dynamic functioning, a team leader, a right man to reform and restructure the chronic ailing Organization, All the best !

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Nasir

Oct 19, 2014 06:18pm

@Abbas khan Jaffer family has a very big role in creation of pakistan. They helped Jinnah a lot.

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Shaheen Changezi

Oct 20, 2014 08:41pm

@Dr syed Kaleem imam ; will he be able to fire all white elephants, inefficient and surplus staff??? without it a superman or super magician can't improve PIA. Moreover do the new chairman has any record that he made a dead enterprise profitable. And last but not the least why he's given PIA, why not Pakistan steel mill???

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