136
The government decided on Friday to outsource airports in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi in a bid to attract foreign direct investment and provide "world-class facilities" to passengers.
The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss matters pertaining to the aviation sector, a PM Office press release said.
It was decided that the government would hire the services of operators of international repute to run three major airports in the first phase.
As per the plan, the international operators would help run the said entities for a period of 20-25 years.
The meeting also decided to engage the International Finance Corporation to provide consultancy services.
The international operators would provide the services of international standards at the said airports besides uplifting them through foreign investment.
The meeting gave the Public Private Partnership Authority a go-ahead to initiate the formalities.
The prime minister instructed the authority to ensure the accomplishment of the process transparently and in accordance with the highest standards.
The participants were also told that 44 countries were pursuing the public-private-partnership formula including the US, UK, India, Bahrain, and Brazil where the airports were run under the PPP mode.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (136) Closed
Dec 30, 2022 11:50pm
Expect workers strike soon
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2022 11:51pm
Excellent opportunity to fill some more pockets.
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2022 11:56pm
Really?
Why not just outside the government of Pakistan? Surely eveb an Indian outfit could do a better job than PDM flunkies who are drowning the country under crushing debt while the country is close to default.
If the airports management is handed to DP Ports or Dubai World, it would be the ultimate humiliation. Considering it was PIA and Pakistani talent which helped launch Emirates Airlines in 1985 with just two leased old PIA jets and staff lent to UAE. How far Pakistan has fallen!
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2022 11:57pm
Fire the local workers. They are biased, hateful and do moral policing.
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2022 11:58pm
ASAP
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2022 11:58pm
At last some good news
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2022 11:58pm
Give to Americans
Recommend
0
Dec 30, 2022 11:59pm
Great.
Another opportunity to skim commissions.
Wasn’t the original and the current Reko Diq a public-private deal. Gone wrong. The PPA are also same. ONLY when these agreements are negotiated by honest and experienced people, with state not personal interest at top, do these work out. ALL private enterprise’s PRIMARY purpose is profit, so cost cutting/poor service or higher charges will quickly happen.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 12:00am
I just visited karachi last week via Dubai and on return trip via Istanbul….. just privatizing pakistan airports will not help….pathetic mentality needs to change, pathetic self interest need to change. Just look at the rest of Karachi city, another nonsense that will result in friends getting rich and citizens getting nothing scheme….
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 12:01am
Good decision
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 12:02am
@Umair, they better fix their behaviour with passengers or they should be fired. Airport workers should get a rating by every passenger that should be recorded
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 12:05am
Excellent decision. Should be implemented as soon as possible.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 12:06am
the problem is but for labor class going to gulf countries there are no good destination flight where technocrats are flying to developed nation .. just go to any of the major airports in Delhi or Mumbai or Bangalore .. you have dozens of flights to Singapore, Sidney, London, Tokyo, London, Chicago, NYC, Toronto, Vancouver, Frankfurt, Paris, San Francisco and others.. that’s what attracts foreign investments..
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 12:09am
Poor economical condition of Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 12:10am
"Outsource"
Translation: SELL.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 12:13am
Customs, ASF and immigration will also be outsourced? As travellers mostly suffer at their hands.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 12:14am
Commission, kickbacks and more under the table money deposited directly into their Swiss, English, German and the U.S. Bank accounts.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 12:16am
Would any foreign entity baring PRChina even be interested?. Close down these lousy Airports. Provide good road/rail transport to Amritsar, Kabul etc for passengers to take Air Travel.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 12:21am
How much commission is being provided to Sharifs and Zardaris - This deal does not seem to be transparent
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 12:23am
The government decided on Friday to outsource airports in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi in a bid to attract foreign direct investment and provide “world-class facilities” to passengers.
This is a huge security risk, must never ever be allowed. Shebaz Sharif, Zardari are all corrupt they will loot money and run to Avenfield house
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 12:24am
Really - Airports!?!
To attract any foreign investors the entire gang that is running the current government needs to be put in JAIL for a very LONG time!!
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 12:27am
First they help their cronies and themselves to pocket the money for a shoddy Islamabad airport now cant improve the incompetent civil aviation to run the airports
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 12:29am
Good, now outsource PIA as well
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 12:36am
Will we get rid of the bribes at the airport as well?
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 12:42am
Looks like we have lost the will to work. This is the mentality of very rich and lazy nations or affluent countries. We are neither a lazy nation nor an affluent country. We should grab every dollar we can instead some wise guy has found an idea to extract kickback, moreover, airports are an alternative to military airports. Outsourcing will be a serious security risk in case of emergency. In case a contract is signed, please do not choose London courts for arbitration if there is a conflict.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 12:44am
Go idea, out sourcing all major offices under
Federal and Provincial levels to private firms
will make efficiency better and reduced corruptions
in the country. Let this work handle by new elected
government after the elections in 2023 for next five
years. Also expenses on Army budget and non-essential projects must cut down by 40% and increase budget on education by 30% as well.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 12:47am
This is likely to lead to more corruption as outsourcing is most likely going to happen with more kickbacks.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 12:48am
What a shameful decision to mortgage our very important assets to pay for your incompetence. This decision reflects height of negligence and incompetence towards national resources.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 12:51am
This is a great decision and please put strict rules in place so the local workers cant's bribe the newcomers
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 12:51am
Got source to pocket money
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 01:12am
So Indian bidder can control Pakistan's airports now. Good strategy to hurt Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 01:13am
@Umair, they will be fired anyhow because they are inefficient.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 01:15am
The government should elaborate as what additional facilities passengers will get if the Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi are outsourced.
Unemployment is on the rise. The foreign companies will retrench the locally hired trained staff or the new staff will be hired from the scratch.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 01:15am
With the same money hungry customs officials welcoming the travellers banana republic!
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 01:15am
OK if you cannot run mere three airports, how can you run multibillion dollar CPEC?
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 01:21am
More contracts, more money in swiss bank accounts
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 01:25am
Put a hold on doing any business with outside world until we find out who killed Arshad Sharif and how Bajwa made so much money and also how many Generals foreign accounts.............
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 01:26am
@Dr. Salaria Ahmed -II, They will need the money now that they have to share it with Bajwa.......The crook who bankrupted Pakistan for personal gain.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 01:35am
Why dont you outsource the whole country?
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 01:39am
what will happen to CAA employees? Problem is that not many airlines are coming to Pakistan, Airports are empty , this will only bring hardship to CAA employees nothing else. another bad decision by Imported government, someone in government will get a big kick back
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 01:40am
First take care of terrorists and TTP only then foreign investment will come.
Second there is no concept of customer service in Pakistan. Everyone working at airport should be evaluated by customers/travelers. Workers need to be given training for customer services.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 01:47am
instead if catching the nose in such a round about way - why not just give it to China. we all know except china now is interested in super power pakistan
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 01:48am
@Urooj, The reason for mistreating the women is that the airport staff want some money and the porters convince women to give some money to get out of this misery
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 01:48am
Selling the airports to Chinese to raise money ?.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 01:52am
Seems Ummah and Higher than Himalayas friend won't give a single dollar unless some asset is handed over to them.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 01:54am
Very good decision by the government. Passengers are treated very bad by the local staff. It’s very good idea to hire foreign staff. It’s about time governments took action against corrupt officials at airports who take bribe passengers openly.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 01:56am
Sell everything else also, before you go.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 01:56am
Lease to usa
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 01:56am
Now a fourth world country
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 02:08am
Another get rich quick scheme of PDM( thugs). Riqo-dik case, power plant rental case, copper mining extraction case and many more lawsuits and judgements that Zardari and Shareef govt. have lost in international courts. This will also end up in international court with a hefty fine against Pakistani govt.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 02:09am
great way to loot the last few pennies
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 02:10am
Soon the whole country will be put on sale. All this mess is created by Pakistan's army.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 02:11am
Outsource the government, especially the PM
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 02:14am
China will take all seaports and airports one way or the other. Rest of the nation, a little later.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 02:14am
Can we outsource Karachi?
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 02:14am
So the kick backs start again. Could not wait any longer.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 02:15am
PDM needs lots of money real soon, to face the elections
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 02:16am
@Amira, Who will check the ratings, the politically appointed supervisor, manager, or chairman?
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 02:23am
@Dr. Salaria Ahmed -II,
Spot on
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 02:28am
@Que, could not say any better. They need to be in JAIL for a long time but problem is when you have crook for president like Zardari and convicted PM right now. There is literally no hope other than leaving the country
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 02:32am
And the best bid they will find will be a 'friendly country' qatar/uae
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 02:36am
Pakistan expertise help build Emirates. Good Governance helps create a better workforce.
"If ain't broken, why fix it" is waste of opportunity.
Modern airports is necessary and it is the first point of entry for all passengers. All incoming and outgoing passengers pay local airport taxes. Time to get the best services.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 02:42am
Looks like ruling leaders are converting their black to white by assigning the airports to their companies..
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 02:49am
Outsource Karachi airport to Qatar so they can make Qatar Airways second hub in Karachi. It mean lots of jobs for Pakistan is.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 03:00am
These contracts will go to relatives of the ruling elite. Nothing to be pleased about.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 03:03am
streetwalker country
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 03:04am
Hmm, might wonder how many Elite Pakistani palms will be “Greased” to decide the winning bids!
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 03:07am
Let me guess! China
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 03:20am
Should give them to Qatar they know how to handle airports
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 03:23am
Pls tell the actual fact instead of misguiding people.
No, being unable to pay back the loans, you are actually selling off guarantee's asset to the creditor. Countries are surely nominated over here off course. I am expecting more assets going away (selling to avoid default on payable money which you are unable to pay now) to other countries in coming days
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 03:24am
We came to this situation that we have to outsource the airport management to third party. If you are old enough, you may remember that PIA used to provide catering services to international airlines. I am sure if it is done the right way, we can manage our own facilities.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 03:31am
Slowly and gradually, the country is moving towards as “Sold Out”. Once the task completed, they will leave the country to live in their heaven.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 03:32am
How much commissions under the table Shareef Zardari mafia made in this deal.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 03:37am
Nothing will change until neutrals stops meddling in every affair! People don’t feel having any rights or freedoms!
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 03:38am
Immigration staff is very mischievous at airport and asks irrelevant and threatening questions!
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 03:47am
Oh dear
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 03:49am
Next they will sell the Roosevelt Hotel in NY and consulate owned buildings in Washington DC Montreal and Paris. No doubt PDM came in power for Loot Khasoot. Happy New Year Pakistanio.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 03:54am
Whoever makes the bid will be paying over and under the table. More party funds will come. Property rates abroad will go up with this deal.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 03:57am
Comission hunters won't rest until their sell everything they can. Pakistan will suffer hugely. Sad times under PDM incompetence and looting.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 04:06am
IMF begins asset stripping
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 04:17am
More fees for passengers
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 04:17am
Foreign countries = (China)
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 04:21am
At least don’t give it to Chinese.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 04:25am
Can we outsource our government to China? Can’t be any worse than what it’s today and best of all, you’ll never have to see PTI in power again.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 04:36am
A great decision! Baltimore Port terminal is run by a Dubai-based company that has done wonders with it. I hope the same can happen with Karachi Port and Pakistani Airports.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 04:38am
Great example of how not run your country! Instead of fixing the issues at the airports of your own country let other deal with the issue and make the profits. Great Shame!
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 04:49am
In short these airports will be leased out to China soon.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 04:51am
These contracts will be given to family members to earn money for 25 years.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 04:55am
If we can’t even keep our cities clean of garbage and control traffic, how can we be expected to run airports on international standards! What next? Hand over Islamabad since we can’t govern?
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 04:57am
Of course the govt is totally incompetent to do anything. Best would be to outsource the entire country back to the British. Govt officials prefer to live there anyways.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 05:03am
Excellent, air traffic growth is the key metric for linking Pakistan to the global economy
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 05:05am
What's next?
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 05:10am
And the airports go to the uae …?
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 05:10am
Fire sale begins!
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 05:13am
“World class facilities “ very high obsession & dreams. The life standard of people could match the world class facilities if few hundred blue eyed politicians are bent twisted and pressed to return the billions of dollars taken
away from nation through covert corruption.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 05:14am
As long as the contract is in Pak Rupess, they should be immediately hired.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 05:17am
Very good idea. Let's outsource the government as well. Who needs corrupt politicians, judges, and government servants?
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 05:33am
Next they will allow foreign investors to control nuclear weapons....
Airport staff do need to be fired and better staff need to be hired.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 05:38am
In other words selling them to corrupt CCP run companies.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 05:44am
Who will invest?
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 05:50am
Actually it’s a good idea. Should have done long time ago.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 05:55am
More money to line pockets of these looters
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 05:57am
Chinese workers are better than locals
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 05:58am
Awesome opportunity to pocket some commission by Sharif bradaran
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 06:03am
GMR, India has transformed Indian airports.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 06:05am
@Dr. Salaria Ahmed -II, you keep hands inside pant pockets..
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 06:10am
My morning starts with this joke "government decides".
Thanks for bringing smile on my face.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 06:13am
PML-N govt is not even fit to run the household kitchen. It is time they privatize PIA, steel mills, and the railways as well. These crooks are corrupt to the core.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 06:17am
Classic example of Pakistan is inept to operate its own airports
Secondly if this trend continues Whole Pakistan will be mortgaged to China leading to large scale unemployment of Pakistanis
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 06:18am
It's too early to do this. Pakistan is only destiny to Pakistanis and once we will have a significant amount of foreigners coming to Pakistan, we could've done that.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 06:21am
Privatize the government to solve all the problems at least agriculture, where government spends trillions of rupees on dams, reservoirs, canals and other facilities to proved almost free water to feudal. who in return go on increasing support price of wheat and pay no tax and also failed to make country self sufficient in food, Beside that they keep their 100 million haries in virtual bondage without any human rights.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 06:32am
Wow! This will definitely definitely contribute lessening unemployment and control youth bulge. Bravo, this is sound economic decision to ignore cheap and reliable, and educated labour at home and outsource costly labour abroad. Dear government! My vote is for you in next election.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 06:33am
@SAk , I think Shahbaz Sharif should outsource his govt , you will cut out the Mr 20 %, the govt will save a lot of money , and there may be surplus.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 06:34am
World class facilities come at a price.
Will the people of a nation that's on the edge of defaulting on loans, be able to afford the higher prices?
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 06:36am
With 220 million people and air travel is crucial. Time to invest in infrastructure including airports. Time for good makeovers. Building images start with good entry points like airports.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 06:45am
It's a competitive business, ( with Bad management and mediocre performance, lack of training ) you will
go bankrupt. Instead of outsourcing, Fire the top management..
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 06:51am
So the nation will start burning furniture to survive. What’s next after selling, sorry “outsourcing”, key infrastructure to foreign companies? We started with electricity, ports, now airports - next hospitals, water, roads … army? Remember “outsourcing” comes with loss of revenue and thousands of local jobs.
Perhaps we should consider “outsourcing ” the government as well.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 06:55am
Very good decision. De nationalize more units/ services to private/ foreign sectors. Engaging IFC for consultancy is not good decision. IFC do not understand our requirements.
IFC is lending arm of IMF. It finance projects in Pakistan. It will be prudent to analyze units where IFC finance units are successful. It is going to be very expensive. To meet their requirements will take most of benefits of foreign investment.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 06:56am
They seem to have some empty money bags leftover.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 06:59am
Lol how about feeding all your citizens first
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 07:05am
I always dread going through airport immigration and customs. They are not only arrogant but could cause any problem just like that.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 07:06am
The international operators are not going to do this kind of service for free. Did someone in the government perform the value engineering that how much this will cost the foreign and domestic airlines administrative cost , foreign exchange expenses and the increase in passengers ticket prices to subsides the international operators expenses. However, its a good idea to bring all the international airports to the international standards.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 07:07am
@AHAQ,
More fees for passengers
Oh yes, get ready to pay.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 07:08am
How about out sourcing the management of Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 07:17am
What a pathetic decision. Our own people should be given employment instead of lets money go abroad.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 07:24am
Most other countries that outsource their airports (or parts of it), don’t give it to private companies in other countries. You need local private companies to be able to take on the task. Let’s see who Pakistani airports will be outsourced to. Any guess?
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 07:28am
Pakistan must try something new and innovative
People should support new ideas ,thinking
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 07:30am
Pakistan does not have the skills to run anything.
Power plants and roads built by Chinese. Dams are built by foreigners.
The only skill is taking loans.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 07:30am
For once referring to India with a positive outlook.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 07:33am
Can't we outsource Islamabad the crux of ehole problem
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 07:51am
Why not lease the whole country.
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 07:53am
Only Adani is capable of managing such airports
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 08:35am
About time. Let’s face it, we are incapable of managing much!
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 08:38am
Taliban may be right candidate to outsource ?
Recommend
0
Dec 31, 2022 11:41am
They can't manage the airports?
People should standup against it.
Recommend
0
Jan 03, 2023 12:34pm
Very sweet and fraudulent term 'OUTSOURCE' in place of AUCTION or SALE
Recommend
0
