ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday approved expansion plans for Karachi and Lahore airports, directing authorities to complete the projects within stipulated timelines and ensure international standards without compromising on quality.
Chairing a meeting on airport expansion and passenger facilities, the prime minister stressed that passenger convenience must remain the top priority at all airports and called for independent third-party validation of development projects and reforms aimed at improving the travel experience.
He directed the authorities to engage internationally renowned firms to improve airport services, ensure regular service-delivery training for staff dealing with passengers, and strengthen coordination among agencies operating at airports.
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He also ordered the hiring of quality caterers, stressing that no compromise would be tolerated on food quality at airports.
The meeting was briefed on a recent survey conducted by an international firm to assess service standards at major airports, as well as expansion plans for Karachi and Lahore airports and ongoing development and upgradation projects being undertaken by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) across the country.
Officials informed the meeting that the runway extension at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport had been completed.
The prime minister directed that the expansion of the Karachi and Lahore airports under their respective master plans be completed within the prescribed timelines and in line with international standards.
The meeting was also informed that the CAA had made 14 airports operational for domestic flights over the past year.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had increased staffing and the number of counters to facilitate passengers, officials said.
Work on installing automated border-management systems, including e-gates, at major airports is progressing rapidly, the meeting was told.
Work is also under way on an air cargo village aimed at developing Karachi into an air cargo hub.
To improve passenger facilitation, a meet-and-greet service has been launched at Islamabad airport, while the FIA has established pre-departure desks at major airports to provide timely guidance to travellers.
The meeting was further informed that the existing aviation institution in Hyderabad was being upgraded into an Internationally recognised aviation university, with work scheduled to begin by February 2028.
The prime minister directed the authorities to ensure that all airport development projects and passenger services meet international requirements, with particular emphasis on service quality, professional training and effective coordination among relevant departments.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema, Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar, Prime Minister’s Adviser Muhammad Ali, and others attended the meeting.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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