ISLAMABAD (The Thursday Times) — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday approved the expansion of Lahore and Karachi airports under their master plans, ordering that the work be finished on schedule and to international standards.
Chairing a meeting in Islamabad on airport expansion and passenger facilities, the prime minister said passenger convenience must be the top priority at every airport and that there should be no compromise on construction quality, the Prime Minister’s Office said.
Survey and third-party checks
The meeting reviewed the findings of a recent survey by an international firm on the quality of passenger facilities at major airports. Shehbaz ordered third-party validation of reforms, the hiring of internationally recognised organisations to improve services, and regular training for staff who deal with passengers.
He also called for better coordination between the agencies working at airports and said reputable caterers should be brought in, warning that there would be no compromise on the quality of food and drink.
What is already under way
Officials told the meeting that runway expansion at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport had been completed, and that the Civil Aviation Authority had made 14 airports operational over the past year to help domestic flights resume.
Automated border-control e-gates are being installed at major airports, and work is under way on an Air Cargo Village meant to turn Karachi into an air cargo hub. A meet-and-greet service has been introduced at Islamabad International Airport, and the Federal Investigation Agency has set up pre-departure desks and added staff and counters at major airports.
An existing aviation institution in Hyderabad is being upgraded into an aviation university, with work expected to begin by February 2028.
