The government has included Islamabad International Airport in its privatisation programme under a long-term concession model and is exploring different options to outsource airport operations in Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore. These options include management contracts as well as long-term commercial concessions.
According to the Privatization Commission, Islamabad International Airport has been formally added to the active privatisation programme, aligning it with the ongoing process already underway for Karachi and Lahore airports.
The commission said the government’s key objectives behind the move are to improve operational efficiency, enhance service delivery, maximise revenue, upgrade infrastructure, and attract both domestic and international private sector investment into the aviation sector.
It added that constructive engagement is ongoing with institutions from partner countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia, along with other international stakeholders. These efforts, the commission said, are part of Pakistan’s broader economic vision aimed at modernising the aviation sector through mutually beneficial cooperation.
The Privatization Commission also rejected reports claiming that a proposed agreement for Islamabad International Airport had been cancelled, describing such claims as misleading. It clarified that no lease agreement has been signed for Islamabad International Airport or any other airport, and therefore, reports suggesting the cancellation of a lease with the United Arab Emirates are false.
The commission explained that in November 2025, due to strong high-level interest from multiple investors, the government decided to shift from a government-to-government approach to an open and competitive bidding process for all three airports. Under this model, all domestic and foreign investors will be given an equal opportunity to participate.
Officials stressed that the decision is purely economic and procedural, with no political or diplomatic implications. The commission said the competitive process is designed to promote transparency, ensure fair competition, and deliver optimal outcomes for Pakistan’s economy, while also strengthening long-term partnerships with international investors.
