Latest news with #HanifGohar
Arab News
26-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan's Air Karachi in talks with Chinese jetmaker for aircraft as it gears up for operations
KARACHI: Air Karachi, Pakistan's new private airline in the making, has engaged the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) for the supply of airliners to start its flight operations, the group chairman Hanif Gohar told Arab News on Friday. Spearheaded by a group of leading businessmen from Pakistan's southern port city, the airline is also negotiating with global aerospace giants like Boeing and Airbus for the acquisition of at least three passenger aircraft. It was launched in November 2024 by 100 stakeholders with Rs5 billion ($17.6 million) in seed money. 'We are talking with COMAC regarding the 919, as well as with Boeing and Airbus, to acquire the aircraft,' Gohar said, referring to a narrow-body passenger jet developed by China. Business leaders in the South Asian nation have stepped up to fill the gap as the state-run Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has become a liability for the cash-strapped government, which is now making a second attempt to privatize the national carrier. 'We will start our flight operations as soon as we reach an agreement with any of the suppliers, whoever comes first,' Gohar said when asked about the timeline to start operations. Gohar, a business tycoon himself, expects a deal within the next month. He said Air Karachi would initially fly three aircraft domestically, and the fleet would later be expanded with four more planes to start international flights within a year. The idea to launch a business-backed airline was conceived to develop an entity that can operate with efficiency and financial autonomy amid growing challenges faced by PIA. Last month, Air Karachi received its Regular Public Transport (RPT) license from Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority. The airline has been modeled after the success of Air Sial, another private carrier launched by industrialists in Sialkot, the manufacturing hub of Pakistan's exportable sports and surgical goods.
Business Recorder
19-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Business leaders condemn Israeli attacks on Iran, Gaza
KARACHI: President of the United Business Group (UBG) Zubair Tufail, Secretary General (Sindh Region) Hanif Gohar, Central Spokesperson Gulzar Feroz, and UBG Core Committee Member Malik Khuda Bakhsh have strongly condemned the brutal and unprovoked Israeli attack on Iran, as well as the continued oppression and violence against the innocent Palestinian people. In a joint statement issued today, the UBG leaders expressed grave concern over Israel's continuous aggression, which has not only resulted in significant loss of innocent lives but has also caused widespread anxiety and anguish among Muslims across the globe. The UBG leadership called upon the international community, particularly major powers and the United Nations, to take immediate and decisive action to halt Israel's brutality and ensure the protection of the rights and lives of the Palestinian people. They underscored the moral responsibility of the global community to stand against such injustice and oppression. UBG President Zubair Tufail warned that the ongoing conflict is severely impacting the economic stability of the entire region. He noted that the violence has disrupted trade routes, shaken investor confidence, and increased political tensions, pushing the region further towards crisis. The UBG leaders also called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to immediately convene an emergency meeting to assess the current crisis and implement effective strategies to prevent further escalation. They stressed that unity among Muslim nations is essential in this critical time to protect regional interests and promote peace. They further stated that the present situation demands urgent diplomatic and economic actions to halt the spreading violence and to secure the future of millions of innocent people across the region. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
12-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Air Karachi inks MRO deal with PIA
KARACHI: Air Karachi has signed a maintenance agreement with Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to acquire engineering services from the national flag carrier. According to the details, under the agreement, Air Karachi will acquire engineering services or MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) services from PIA. The agreement was signed by CEO PIA, Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat, and Air Karachi's Chairman Hanif Gohar and CEO AVM Imran Majid (retd). Senior officials from PIA and Air Karachi were present. PIA spokesman said that the airline's Engineering Division has the capacity and capability for maintenance, repair, and overhaul that is available and being offered to other airlines, adding that this agreement would generate additional revenue for PIA through MRO facilities. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
11-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Air Karachi signs aircraft maintenance agreement with PIA
An agreement has been finalised between the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Air Karachi — an airline established by Karachi's business community — for aircraft maintenance, according to a statement released on Wednesday. Under the agreement, Air Karachi will receive engineering services or MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) services from the PIA. The agreement was signed by PIA CEO Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat, Air Karachi Chairman Hanif Gohar, and Air Karachi CEO Air Marshal (Retd.) Imran Majid. In November 2024, the business community of Karachi announced the launch of a new airline, Air Karachi, with an initial investment of Rs5 billion. The announcement was made by Hanif Gohar during his visit to the Karachi Press Club, accompanied by S M Tanveer, Chairman of the United Business Group. Air Karachi is yet to launch its flight operations.
Express Tribune
09-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Air Karachi gets CAA nod, hopes to launch soon
A general view of the Jinnah International Airport Karachi where evacuees from Afghanistan will stop by for further travel to other countries. PHOTO: FILE Listen to article A new private airline based in Karachi has been granted its Regular Public Transport (RPT) license by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), paving the way for the launch of commercial operations in the near future. The airline, named Air Karachi, is headed by leading business figures from Karachi and is modeled on the success of Air Sial — a similar initiative launched by industrialists in Sialkot. Its founders aim to build a business-backed airline offering operational efficiency and financial autonomy, particularly in light of ongoing challenges faced by the national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). 'Yes, we got the license from CAA,' confirmed Hanif Gohar, one of the airline's key stakeholders, in an interview with Arab News. 'We are looking for aircraft and will start with three aircraft soon.' The CAA granted the RPT license to Air Karachi on June 5. As part of the licensing conditions under Pakistan's National Aviation Policy 2023, the airline has been instructed to deposit a license issuance fee of Rs500,000 ($1,750) and a security deposit of Rs100 million ($350,000). It must also raise its paid-up capital to Rs600 million ($2.1 million) before it can commence operations. Air Karachi is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and plans to raise a total of Rs5 billion ($17.5 million), with 100 shareholders each contributing Rs50 million ($175,000). The airline will be led operationally by retired Air Vice Marshal Imran Qadir, who has been appointed chief operating officer. He will be supported by a team of former Pakistan Air Force officials with experience in the aviation sector. Air Karachi plans to launch its services with three aircraft for domestic routes and gradually expand its fleet to seven. After completing the mandatory one-year domestic run, it aims to begin international operations, starting with flights to destinations in the Middle East.
