Pakistan eyes airport service boost, mulls outsourcing in talks with Turkish delegation

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday Pakistan wanted to improve passenger facilities at airports across the country and was considering outsourcing some services, during a meeting with a delegation from Istanbul Grand Airport.
Sharif’s administration during its previous tenure developed plans to improve the management of its airports by potentially allowing foreign companies to run them. The initiative was billed as part of its efforts to enhance efficiency, upgrade facilities and boost the aviation industry’s contribution to the national economy.
The idea was also to bring in international expertise and investment through public-private partnerships or outright management contracts to operate and develop the country’s airfields.
“We are taking steps to enhance and improve the facilities available for passengers at the airports in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore,” a statement issued by his office quoted him as saying during the meeting.
“Pakistan is the first to offer outsourcing some commercial operations of Islamabad International Airport under public-private partnership,” he continued, adding: “Transparency will be our top priority in all phases of airport outsourcing.”
The prime minister told the delegation the country was rapidly moving toward economic stability and would welcome businesspeople and investors from around the world.
“We are particularly keen to promote investment and partnership with our brotherly nation of Turkiye,” he added.
Sharif also highlighted the “significant potential” for investment and partnerships in the urban development sector of Pakistan.
“Now is the appropriate time to enhance business partnerships between the two countries,” he emphasized.
The Turkish delegation said it was deeply interested in exploring investment and partnership opportunities in Pakistan.
The meeting was also attended by senior members of Turkiye’s diplomatic mission in the country along with Pakistan’s defense and aviation minister Khawaja Asif and other senior officials.