PM approves expansion of Lahore and Karachi airports, orders better passenger facilities

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the expansion of Lahore and Karachi airports under their master plans.

The prime minister directed that facilities at airports be improved further in line with World standards. He said passenger convenience at Pakistani airports should be made the top priority.

He was chairing a meeting in Islamabad today on the expansion of airports in the country’s major cities and the provision of the best travel facilities to passengers. The meeting was briefed on a survey recently completed by an international firm, which assessed the quality of travel facilities at major airports.

The prime minister directed that the expansion projects be completed within the set time, that there be no compromise on their quality and that they meet international requirements. He also directed that third-party validation of the expansion projects and of reforms in travel facilities be ensured.

Passenger facilities

The prime minister said internationally reputed firms should be hired to improve travel facilities at airports. Officers and staff who provide services to passengers should be given regular training in high-quality service delivery.

He also directed that coordination among the various agencies at airports be improved further and that passenger convenience be given priority at all costs. He added that the best caterers should be hired for passengers at airports and that there would be no compromise on the quality of food and drink.

The meeting was told that the expansion of the runway at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, has been completed. Over the past year, the Civil Aviation Authority has made 14 airports operational to restore domestic flights.

The briefing also said the FIA has increased staff and counters for passenger convenience. Work on installing automated border management systems (EGates) at major airports is progressing quickly. A meet-and-greet service has been started at Islamabad airport. Work is under way on an Air Cargo Village to make Karachi an air cargo Hub.

Work to upgrade the existing aviation institute in Hyderabad into an aviation university of international standard will begin by February 2028.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Dr Musadik Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema and Attaullah Tarar, Adviser to the Prime Minister Muhammad Ali, members of the National Assembly Raja Usama Sarwar and Ali Zahid, the prime minister’s coordinator Sardar Yasir Ilyas and senior officials concerned attended the meeting.