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The Privatization Commission has decided to carry out the outsourcing of operations at Pakistan’s three major airports, Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi through an open bidding process, moving away from the earlier government-to-government (G2G) approach.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the commission said the change was made in response to strong interest from a wide range of investors and aims to ensure a transparent and competitive process with equal opportunities for both domestic and foreign firms.
Under the revised plan, eligible investors from partner countries and other international stakeholders will be allowed to participate on a level playing field. The commission said the open bidding model is intended to promote fair competition, improve transparency and secure outcomes that are beneficial for the country’s economy.
The government is currently evaluating various options for Islamabad International Airport, Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport and Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport, including management contracts and long-term commercial concessions.
As part of the ongoing privatization program, Islamabad airport has now been formally included alongside Karachi and Lahore. The decision follows consultations with entities from the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, as well as discussions with other international investors.
According to the commission, the core objectives of outsourcing include improving operational efficiency, enhancing service quality, increasing revenue, upgrading infrastructure and attracting private sector investment into the aviation sector.
