KARACHI: Karachi, the city of the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, celebrated Independence Day with great enthusiasm.
Caretaker Chief Minister Fazlur Rehman, Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani, other high government officials, diplomats and students of different schools visited the mausoleum of the father of nation Muhammad Ali Jinnah here on the 71st Independence Day of Pakistan.
The officials hoisted flags and offered Fateha at the tomb of Jinnah. The nominated Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also visited the mausoleum to pay homage to the father of the nation.
Earlier, a change of the guard ceremony was held at the mausoleum, during which cadets of the Pakistan Navy took charge of their duties. Commandant Pakistan Naval Academy Commodore Waqar Muhammad was the chief guest at the ceremony.
Several events were held across the city of Quid to mark Independence Day. Schools were also open, where the day was celebrated with great enthusiasm. The celebrations in Karachi started on Monday night with national songs, fireworks and a cake-cutting ceremony.
The nominated Governor Imran Ismail cut the Independence Day cake at Karachi Press Club, where a spectacular fireworks display was held at the Arts Council of Pakistan.
Youths from across the city traveled to the seaside to dance to national songs.
City of Pakistan founder celebrates Independence Day
City of Pakistan founder celebrates Independence Day
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.
