ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has moved the outsourcing of Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi airports to an open competitive bidding process, ending plans for government-to-government arrangements after strong interest from multiple investors, the Privatisation Commission said on Saturday.
The commission said the decision aims to ensure transparency and provide equal opportunity to both domestic and international firms seeking to participate in the process.
According to an official statement, the revised framework allows all eligible entities, including companies from partner countries, to submit bids under a level playing field. Authorities said the competitive model is designed to improve efficiency, enhance passenger services, modernise infrastructure and increase revenue generation across the aviation sector.
Islamabad International Airport has now been formally included in Pakistan’s active privatisation programme, alongside Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport and Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport. The government is considering multiple options, including management contracts and long-term commercial concessions.
The move follows consultations with investors from the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and other international stakeholders.
Officials said the broader objective is to attract private sector investment while supporting Pakistan’s efforts to modernise its aviation industry.
Separately, the Privatisation Commission has invited technical and financial proposals to appoint a financial adviser for the Roosevelt Hotel in New York, a government-owned property earmarked for redevelopment through a joint venture.
The adviser will be tasked with assessing investor interest, developing marketing strategies and supporting transaction structuring. Proposals for the advisory role can be submitted until February 16, while authorities aim to complete the Roosevelt Hotel transaction within one year.
Located on Madison Avenue in Manhattan, the 19-storey Roosevelt Hotel comprises more than 1,000 rooms and remains the only overseas real estate asset currently listed under Pakistan’s privatisation programme.
