Heads of state, foreign dignitaries: Construction of new ‘state lounge’ at Islamabad Airport initiated

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has initiated construction of a new State Lounge at Islamabad International Airport to facilitate visiting heads of state and foreign dignitaries ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State Summit, scheduled to be held in Islamabad in August 2027.

Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the project on Thursday as part of the government’s preparations to host the high-level international summit.

The facility is aimed at strengthening state protocol, hospitality and facilitation arrangements for visiting heads of state, foreign dignitaries, senior government officials and international delegations.

The ceremony was attended by Secretary Defence Lt Gen Muhammad Ali (retd), Director General Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) AVM Muhammad Shahid Afzaal and senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and PAA.

Speaking on the occasion, DG PAA highlighted the significance of the project in upgrading protocol and hospitality infrastructure at Islamabad International Airport, particularly in view of the upcoming SCO summit.

Following the groundbreaking ceremony, the defence minister unveiled a commemorative plaque and participated in a tree plantation activity to reaffirm the government’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

According to the PAA, the project forms part of broader efforts to strengthen national infrastructure and improve facilities for high-level international engagements hosted by.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026