ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) C-130 aircraft was declared runner-up in the prestigious Royal International Air Tattoo Show 2018 in the UK, PAF said in a statement on Sunday.
“It was a moment of joy for the PAF when an aesthetically painted PAF C-130 was honored out of 300 aircraft in this mega show,” the statement added.
Pakistani Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan was also at the venue to witness the static display of the squadron’s Hercules.
He congratulated the PAF contingent for their excellent performance and raising the country’s flag high in the mega event.
He said he hoped it would go a long way in projecting the soft image of the country across the world. “PAF C-130 stole the show with its attractive and artistically painted color scheme,” the Air Chief Marshal added.
The participating military and civilian aircraft included USAF F-35A, French Air Force Rafale C, German Air Force Tornado IDS and RAF Red Arrows on display at the Royal International Air Tattoo.
Earlier, the air chief attended Chief of the Air Staff’s Air Power Conference with a theme “Building the Next Generation Air Force.”
Senior government ministers, high-ranking officials and up to 60 international air chiefs from across the world attended the Air Power Conference.
“Presently, the air chief is on an official visit to the UK, on the invitation of Royal Air Force, to further boost the strong ties between two great forces,” PAF said in a statement.
Pakistani aircraft wins laurels at Royal Air Tattoo Show
Pakistani aircraft wins laurels at Royal Air Tattoo Show
- Pakistan Air Force (PAF) C-130 was honored out of 300 aircraft in this mega show at UK
Pakistan forms committee to negotiate financial advisory services for Islamabad airport privatization
- Committee to engage Asian Development Bank to negotiate terms of financial advisory services agreement, says privatization ministry
- Inaugurated in 2018, Islamabad airport has faced criticism over construction delays, poor facilities and operational inefficiencies
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Privatization Ministry announced on Wednesday that it has formed a committee to engage the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to negotiate a potential financial advisory services agreement for the privatization of Islamabad International Airport.
The Islamabad International Airport, inaugurated in 2018 at a cost of over $1 billion, has faced criticism over construction delays, poor facilities, and operational inefficiencies.
The Negotiation Committee formed by the Privatization Commission will engage with the ADB to negotiate the terms of a potential Financial Advisory Services Agreement (FASA) for the airport’s privatization, the ministry said.
“The Negotiation Committee has been mandated to undertake negotiations and submit its recommendations to the Board for consideration and approval, in line with the applicable regulatory framework,” the Privatization Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said Islamabad airport operations will be outsourced under a concession model through an open and competitive process to enhance its operational efficiency and improve service delivery standards.
Pakistan has recently sought to privatize or outsource management of several state-run enterprises under conditions agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of a $7 billion bailout approved in September last year.
Islamabad hopes outsourcing airport operations will bring operational expertise, enhance passenger experience and restore confidence in the aviation sector.
In December 2025, Pakistan’s government successfully privatized its national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), selling 75 percent of its stakes to a consortium led by the Arif Habib Group.
The group secured a 75 percent stake in the PIA for Rs135 billion ($482 million) after several rounds of bidding, valuing the airline at Rs180 billion ($643 million).
Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said this week the government has handed over 26 state-owned enterprises to the Privatization Commission.
