ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has included Islamabad International Airport in its long term privatisation programme and is exploring various models for outsourcing operations at Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore airports the Privatisation Commission said on Saturday.
According to the commission the proposed plans may involve management contracts and long-term commercial incentives aimed at improving airport performance. Islamabad International Airport has now been added to the active privatisation programme already underway for Karachi and Lahore airports.
The commission said the government’s key objectives include enhancing operational efficiency, improving service delivery increasing revenue generation, upgrading infrastructure and attracting both domestic and international private investment. It added that Pakistan is holding constructive discussions with key partner countries including the United Arab Emirates Turkey and Saudi Arabia as well as other international stakeholders.
Dismissing recent media reports the commission clarified that no lease or agreement has been signed with the UAE or any other entity for Islamabad International Airport or any other airport.It stressed that claims suggesting the cancellation of a proposed deal were unfounded.
The decision follows strong investor interest expressed in November 2025 prompting the government to shift from a government to government model to an open competitive bidding process.Under this approach, all local and foreign investors will have equal opportunity to participate.The commission emphasised that the move is purely economic aimed at transparency fair competition and maximising long-term benefits for the aviation sector.
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