PM approves Lahore, Karachi airport expansion

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has endorsed expansion plans for Lahore and Karachi airports, with work expected to follow the schedules set out in their master plans. Business Recorder reported that he issued the direction at a meeting in Islamabad on improving airport services, and called for construction to meet international standards.

Officials also reported that work to extend the runway at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport is complete, while 14 airports were brought back into service for domestic flights over the past year. Projects underway include electronic border gates at major airports and a cargo village intended to develop Karachi as an air-freight centre; the government also plans third-party review of reforms and passenger services. These airport infrastructure initiatives connect the announcement to Pakistan’s transport sector.