Federal Cabinet Approves Transfer of Islamabad Airport Management to UAE

Islamabad: The federal cabinet has approved handing over the management of **Islamabad International Airport** to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The decision was taken during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Inter-Government Commercial Transactions, chaired by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The committee also finalized the framework for an agreement with the UAE, with a special negotiation team formed to work out the details.

The team will be led by the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Privatization and will consult with the ministries of defense, finance, law, and privatization before finalizing the agreement.

According to government sources, the move is part of a broader strategy to ensure economic stability and improve the efficiency of state institutions. Officials also indicated that outsourcing the management of other major airports in Pakistan is under consideration.

Islamabad International Airport, inaugurated in 2018, has faced persistent administrative inefficiencies and financial losses. Authorities hope that UAE’s involvement will bring **modern management expertise, improved passenger services, and restored investor confidence** in Pakistan’s aviation sector.