Outsourcing of Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi airports shifted to open bidding

ISLAMABAD: The Privatisation Commission on Saturday said the bid procedure for the outsourcing of the country’s three major airports, including Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi, will be converted to an open mode in view of the “already high level of interest from investors.”

The commission, however, states that the move from a government-to-government (G2G) mode to open bidding is set to produce a fair competitive process where all investors, both local and foreign, will be able to bid on a level playingfield.

As indicated by a commission announcement, the proposed fair competition process has inclusivity as a priority by promoting its open doors to all qualified players, including those from partner states, together with local and foreign investors.

Such an application is intended, according to the commission, to promote transparency, fair competition, facilitate the most beneficial outcomes for the Pakistani economy, as well as strengthen ties with international partners.

The government has been actively evaluating various alternatives for Islamabad International Airport, Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, and Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport through various, adequate models of management contracts or long-term commercial concession arrangements.

As a part of this policy, the Islamabad airport has been included in the active privatisation program, consistent with the ongoing process for the airports at Karachi and Lahore.

This runs in line with positive dialogue with authorities from partner countries such as the UAE, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia, among other international actors across the world.

The commission identified that the main aim is to boost efficiencies, enhance service delivery, maximize revenue generation, strengthen infrastructure, and create room for private sector investments in the country’s economic vision to foster collaboration towards a modernized aviation industry.