Islamabad: The government has made significant progress in moving forward with the outsourcing project of Islamabad International Airport. The Privatisation Commission Board has approved the signing of a Transaction Advisory Services Agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which is being described as a major step towards improving the management and operational capacity of the airport.
According to an official statement, the Privatisation Commission Board meeting reviewed all the terms of the proposed advisory agreement in detail, after which the agreement signed with the Asian Development Bank was formally approved. The board expressed confidence that ADB, based on its international expertise and extensive experience, will be instrumental in ensuring transparency, competition and best practices in the entire outsourcing process.
According to the Privatisation Commission, the outsourcing of Islamabad International Airport will be done under an open, transparent and competitive procedure so that equal opportunities can be provided to all eligible investors and operators. Officials say that the aim of this process is not only to change the management structure but also to further improve the overall operational performance of the airport, facilities provided to passengers and the quality of services.
According to government sources, the involvement of a world-class experienced operator is expected to improve the airport’s management system, service delivery, passenger experience and efficient use of resources, while modern management methods may also create new investment opportunities in the domestic aviation sector.
Experts say that with the technical assistance of the International Financial Institution, the outsourcing process is likely to become more transparent and competitive, but the success of the project will depend on the terms of the agreement, effective monitoring and implementation mechanisms. According to them, if the project is successful, a similar model can be considered for other major airports in the country in the future.
