ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – The federal government has approved transferring the management of Islamabad International Airport to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking a significant step in its strategy to involve foreign partners in running key state-owned assets.
The decision was taken Thursday during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Inter-Governmental Commercial Transactions (CCoIGCT), chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, according to reports.
Officials confirmed the handover will occur under a government-to-government (G2G) agreement. A dedicated negotiation team, led by the prime minister’s adviser on privatisation and supported by the defence, finance, law, and privatisation ministries, will finalize the terms.
This move highlights Pakistan’s push to attract foreign investment aimed at upgrading infrastructure and enhancing efficiency at underperforming state enterprises. The government has previously signaled plans to outsource the operations of major airports to international firms as part of its broader economic and privatisation reforms.
Since its opening in 2018, Islamabad International Airport has faced operational and financial difficulties. Officials believe that a G2G management arrangement with the UAE will bring improved service standards, operational expertise, and greater investor confidence.
The CCoIGCT meeting included the petroleum minister, the prime minister’s privatisation adviser, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, federal secretaries, and senior officials from related ministries.