ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman received Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan at Al-Yamamah palace on Tuesday as part of the premier’s two-day visit to the country, Saudi state news agency SPA reported.
PM Khan is in Riyadh to attend the Future Investment Initiative conference, where he interacted with potential investors and business leaders on Tuesday.
“The two leaders reviewed bilateral relations [ as well as the] latest regional and international developments,” a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office said.
Delegates from both countries were present during the meeting.
“Matters pertaining to mutual interest, trade, investment and economic ties also came under discussion,” Pakistan’s Press Information Department (PID) added.
PM Khan arrived in the Kingdom on Monday in what will be his second visit to Saudi Arabia – he last visited the Kingdom on September 19, as part of his first foreign trip, after assuming office in August this year.
PM Khan holds talks with King Salman
PM Khan holds talks with King Salman
- Leaders exchange views on several topics pertaining to bilateral ties and global politics
- Pakistan premier visiting Riyadh to attend key investment conference
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.
