The Airport Security Force (ASF) successfully seized heroin worth Rs70 million from a passenger who was headed for an Istanbul flight during a large operation at Islamabad International Airport.
Imran, the person who was apprehended, was on his way to Umrah when he was discovered to be in possession of 5kg 448g of ice narcotics. Notably, the accused had soaked three Ihram towels in a heroin solution to hide the illicit drug.
The federal cabinet has decided to postpone its plans to outsource airport operations in the interim. Until the government secures approval from a steering committee chaired by the finance minister, this delay will continue.
Following a thorough presentation by the Aviation Division on August 29, 2023, about the outsourcing of Islamabad International Airport, the Cabinet made its decision. The benefits of integrating the private sector in airport administration were underlined throughout the presentation. International case studies that demonstrated improved service quality, increased revenue potential, and increased investment were used to promote this strategy.
At the airports in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi, efforts to outsource operations have been ongoing for a while; a fresh program was started in December 2022. The Public-Private Partnership Authority Act of 2017 set a structure that the government sought to adhere to. In accordance with this plan, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) would eventually take over management of the airport’s design, building, rehabilitation, finance, operation, and maintenance from the private partner.
On April 11, 2023, the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation (IFC), which is a member, was chosen to serve as the transaction advisor for this project.
