Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday approved the Karachi airport expansion and matching works for Lahore under their respective master plans, directing officials in Islamabad to finish the projects on set timelines and to international standards.
Chairing a meeting on airport expansion and passenger facilitation, he said passenger convenience must stay the top priority at airports nationwide. The Prime Minister’s Office said the session also covered facilitation reforms and wider Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) — Pakistan’s aviation regulator — upgrades.
Master plans and quality checks
Officials briefed the meeting on the master plans for Lahore and Karachi airports, including proposed expansion and construction schedules. The prime minister told authorities to complete the work within the prescribed period and without cutting corners on construction quality.
He ordered third-party validation of reforms meant to improve infrastructure and passenger services, and called for internationally known organisations to help raise standards. Staff involved in passenger facilitation are to receive regular training in service delivery, and agencies working at airports are to coordinate more closely so travellers remain the first concern.
He also directed that reputable caterers be engaged at airports, saying food and beverage quality must not be compromised. The meeting reviewed findings from a recent survey by an international firm on passenger facilities at major airports.
What is already under way
Officials said the runway expansion at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi has been completed. The Karachi airport expansion under the master plan now moves ahead alongside Lahore’s plan, with the prime minister pressing for adherence to schedules.
The CAA briefed on development and upgradation projects nationwide. Over the past year it has made 14 airports operational to support the return of domestic flights. Installation of automated border management systems, known as E-Gates, at major airports is moving quickly, the meeting was told.
Work is also under way on an Air Cargo Village intended to help turn Karachi into an air cargo hub. A Meet and Greet service has started at Islamabad International Airport. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) — which handles immigration and related checks — has set up pre-departure desks at major airports, and has increased staff and counters to guide travellers more quickly.
Training and who attended
An existing aviation institution in Hyderabad is being upgraded into an aviation university meant to meet international standards; work on that project is expected to begin by February 2028.
Those present included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar; federal ministers Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Dr Musadik Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema and Attaullah Tarar; Prime Minister’s Adviser Muhammad Ali; MNAs Raja Osama Sarwar and Ali Zahid; Prime Minister’s Coordinator Sardar Yasir Ilyas; and senior officials.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Wazir-e-Azam Shehbaz Sharif ne Lahore aur Karachi airports ki expansion master plans ke mutabiq manzoor kar di hai. Projects ko waqt par aur international standards ke mutabiq mukammal karne ka hukum diya gaya hai. Karachi mein runway ki expansion mukammal ho chuki hai, aur passenger services behtar banane par zor hai. Is se musafiron ko airports par behtar facility milne ki umeed hai, jab kaam mukammal hoga.
