ISLAMABAD: After Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the government has declared Islamabad International Airport as its next major priority for privatization, officials told a Senate panel on Tuesday.
Briefing the Senate Standing Committee, the Secretary of the Ministry of Privatization said the airport will not be handed over through a government-to-government deal. Instead, the process will be carried out through open and competitive bidding.
The secretary said Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Türkiye have expressed interest in the privatization and outsourcing of Islamabad airport.
He added that the airport’s management will be awarded to the country or company offering the highest bid, under the planned model.
The official further informed the committee that after Islamabad, the government also plans to outsource Karachi and Lahore airports in the next phase.
To proceed with Islamabad airport outsourcing, the ministry is in the process of appointing a financial adviser, he said.
The secretary also stated that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has shown interest in supporting Pakistan in the airport outsourcing process.
Regarding staff, officials said that once outsourcing is completed for the three major airports, the existing workforce will likely be adjusted and deployed at smaller airports across the country.