Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday approved the expansion of Allama Iqbal International Airport and Jinnah International Airport as outlined in their respective masterplans while seeking to turn Karachi into an “air cargo hub”.

According to a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the directives came during a meeting held in Islamabad under the premier’s chairmanship. It was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Khawaja Asif, Musadik Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar and other senior officials.

The statement said the meeting was briefed on a survey recently completed by an international firm assessing the quality of travel facilities at major airports.

During the meeting, the premier directed that no compromise be made on quality in the expansion projects, that they be aligned with international requirements and that third-party validation be ensured for reforms aimed at improving the expansion projects.

The meeting was informed that work on the installation of automated border management systems (e-gates) at major airports was underway. Furthermore, “work is also ongoing on the air cargo village to make Karachi an air cargo hub,” the statement said.

Per the statement, it was discussed that facilitating passengers at Pakistani airports should be made the “top priority”. PM Shehbaz directed that facilities be improved in line with international standards. To that effect, he directed to obtain the services of internationally renowned institutions.

He also emphasised the provision of regular training in high-quality service delivery to officers and staff facilitating passengers at airports, along with an improvement in the coordination among various entities present at airports.

“The services of the best caterers [should] be obtained for passengers at airports, and there will be no compromise on the quality of food and beverages,” the statement said.

The meeting was further briefed on the upgradation of various airports across the country and ongoing development work by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Furthermore, the meeting was informed that the expansion of the runway at Jinnah International Airport had been completed. According to the PMO, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had also increased the number of staff and counters, keeping in view passenger convenience.

A meet-and-greet service had been launched at Islamabad airport, the statement added. Similarly, the FIA had established pre-departure desks at major airports in the country for timely guidance to passengers.

“The meeting was informed that the existing aviation institution in Hyderabad is being further improved to establish an international standard aviation university, with work to commence by February 2028,” PMO’s statement said.

Earlier this month, PM Shehbaz had also ordered the installation of “smart scanners” at all international airports to facilitate travellers.