ISLAMABAD: To demonstrate the concrete results of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the government is requesting the quick outsourcing of the airports in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi as well as the execution of additional G2G-based projects valued at Rs29 billion with friendly nations like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Azerbaijan.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal chaired a review meeting of the Public-Private Partnership Authority (P3A) to expedite implementation. The purpose of the meeting was to assess the progress made on 13 directives issued by the prime minister for the completion of important public interest projects being processed through SIFC, a civil-military forum established to improve government operations, especially in attracting foreign investment from friendly nations.
The minister gave the SIFC secretary instructions to draft a targeted agenda for reviewing the schedules of projects totaling Rs29 billion that have been signed with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Azerbaijan. Early next week, a second meeting will be held to clear the air and expedite the project’s execution.
Ministries are requested to carry out SIFC-driven initiatives worth Rs29 billion.
The minister ordered the creation of a special committee to create workable schedules for the pipeline projects under P3A in order to expedite interministerial collaboration and guarantee project completion on schedule.
“Creating bankable business plans aimed at export growth is an effective way to attract foreign investment, which will greatly help Pakistan. According to a comment from the minister, “the strategic mission of SIFC must be achieved in its true spirit.”
Updates on the progress of each project were given by representatives of several ministries. To speed up the outsourcing process for the airports in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, the Ministry of Aviation was instructed.
According to a senior aviation ministry official, the Pakistan Airports Authority’s Technical Evaluation Committee was currently reviewing bids for the Islamabad airport, while P3A had received due diligence reports for the airports in Lahore and Karachi.
The meeting was also informed that the CAA had stopped the extension work at Lahore airport in response to the prime minister’s direction and was in talks with a business located in the United Arab Emirates, with a meeting set for the near future to discuss outsourcing.
