Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Defense, chaired by Senator Talha Mahmood, convened a meeting with Secretary Defense Lieutenant General Muhammad Ali providing detailed briefings.

The session included in-camera discussions on the defense agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, as well as the current situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Secretary Defense also briefed the committee on PIA's privatization plan, highlighting that PKR 125 billion will be invested over the next 15 months. He noted that aircraft shortages and resource constraints remain the airline's biggest challenges, though U.S. routes may reopen soon.

The committee was informed that PIA's Chitral flight operations had been suspended due to financial losses. Post-privatization, the airline expects to resume flights to Chitral, which could also boost tourism. Secretary Defense emphasized the need for collaboration between the Ministry of Defense and tourism authorities, noting that tourism growth could expand PIA's operations. The government has also instructed the provision of charter helicopter services and plans to develop heliports in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Chairman Senator Talha Mahmood expressed hope for positive engagement with Saudi Arabia, while raising concerns about a Saudi company, ABV Rock, allegedly holding 400 Pakistani workers hostage, withholding salaries for over a year, and confiscating passports. Secretary Defense was directed to assess the matter and report back to the committee.