The recent acquisition of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) by a consortium led by Arif Habib marks a pivotal moment in the airline's history, as the new owners plan to list PIA on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) within a year. According to TechJuice, the consortium intends to float 5% to 10% of PIA's shares through an Initial Public Offering (IPO), a move aimed at revitalizing the airline's financial standing and operational capabilities. Aqeel Karim Dhedhi, chairman of AKD Group, which holds a 16% stake in the consortium, emphasized the importance of this strategy by stating, 'We will take our business back from these airlines. Passengers who can have a direct flight would never want to take a transit flight.' This reflects the consortium's broader goal of regaining market share by expanding direct international routes, as reported by Profit by Pakistan Today.