Islamabad International Airport Outsourcing Gains Momentum; International Firms and Countries Express Interest

The outsourcing of Islamabad International Airport is gaining momentum as the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Pakistan accelerates its plans, attracting interest from countries such as Qatar, Turkey, and China. In a key session held in Dubai, international firms participated to discuss the details of the outsourcing initiative.

According to sources, the CAA has devised a comprehensive plan for the outsourcing of Islamabad’s airport, and several countries have expressed keen interest in participating in the project. Among them are Qatar, Turkey, and China.

Earlier, the federal government had issued tenders, inviting applications for the outsourcing of Islamabad International Airport for a period of 15 years. This move is part of a broader decision by the government to privatize major airports in the country, including Karachi and Lahore.

While the outsourcing plan has garnered international attention, it has faced resistance from CAA unions. The unions launched a protest movement in response to the government’s decision. Attempts at negotiations between union leaders and the then Aviation Minister, Khawaja Saad, did not yield a resolution.