PM Shehbaz Approves Expansion of Lahore and Karachi Airports

Lahore Karachi airport expansion has been approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with the country's two busiest gateways set for upgrades under their own masterplans. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting in Islamabad on 29 October 2026, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

The meeting reviewed airport development across the country. It ended with directions for Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport and Karachi's Jinnah International Airport, both to be expanded under approved masterplans.

The prime minister stressed passenger convenience must remain the top priority throughout the work. He also directed that the projects be completed within their given timelines, built to international standards, and delivered without any compromise on quality.

He also ordered independent third-party validation of airport reforms, so outside checks keep the work honest and promised improvements actually reach passengers.

Lahore Karachi airport expansion: what was approved

Lahore Karachi airport expansion covers two separate projects, one in each city, rather than a single shared scheme. Each airport will follow its own masterplan, which sets out how its facilities should grow and improve over time.

For Lahore, Allama Iqbal International Airport will be expanded under its masterplan, and for Karachi, Jinnah International Airport under its own. No detailed breakdown of either masterplan has been published.

No total cost, capacity figure or completion date under Lahore Karachi airport expansion has been announced so far. This article does not invent those numbers, and readers should wait for official announcements before treating any such figure as confirmed.

What is clear is the standard the prime minister set: work must meet international standards, finish on time and protect quality, with third-party validation enforcing that standard rather than self-reporting by agencies.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Adviser Muhammad Ali, MNAs Raja Osama Sarwar and Ali Zahid, Coordinator Sardar Yasir Ilyas and senior officials.

Karachi cargo hub and runway work

A major part of Lahore Karachi airport expansion concerns Karachi's role in air freight. Jinnah International Airport is to become a major air cargo hub, with an Air Cargo Village for air freight, cargo handling and logistics.

The village is aimed at giving exporters, importers and logistics firms a dedicated base at the airport, cutting delays for goods moving in and out of the country.

Officials told the meeting that expansion of the runway at Jinnah International Airport has already been completed.

The Civil Aviation Authority told the meeting that 14 airports have been activated over the past year, helping to restore domestic flights to more destinations.

Lahore Karachi airport expansion sits inside that national effort to bring more airports back into use, rather than standing alone as two isolated projects.

E-gates, staffing and passenger services

Alongside construction, the meeting discussed how passengers actually experience airports. E-gates and automated border management systems are being installed at major airports, which should speed up immigration and reduce queues at busy times.

Earlier in October, the prime minister directed that smart scanners be installed at all international airports, using technology to cut waiting time and smooth security checks.

Islamabad airport has also launched a meet-and-greet service for travellers. At major airports, Federal Investigation Agency pre-departure desks have been set up, with increased staffing and more counters.

The prime minister directed that internationally renowned institutions be engaged to improve airport services, with regular training for airport officers and staff, so better buildings are matched by better service.

He also stressed better coordination among the agencies running different parts of airport operations, so passengers are not caught between departments when something goes wrong.

The meeting also directed that reputable catering companies be engaged to provide high-quality food and beverages, a detail that matters to travellers spending hours in terminals.

Hyderabad aviation university and next steps

Beyond Lahore and Karachi, the meeting also looked at aviation education. An existing aviation institution in Hyderabad is being upgraded to an international-standard aviation university.

Work on the university is expected to begin by February 2028. The project is separate from the expansions, but it shares the same goal: building local capacity for Pakistan's aviation sector.

Until the government publishes costs, capacity figures and completion dates, those questions stay open. The approvals are real, but the fine print is still to come.

For now, the direction behind Lahore Karachi airport expansion is clear: expand on time, meet international standards, keep quality high, and put the passenger first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which airports will be expanded?

Lahore Karachi airport expansion covers Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore and Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. Each airport will be expanded under its own masterplan, as approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on 29 October 2026.

When will the expansions be completed?

No completion date for either expansion has been announced. The prime minister directed that the work be completed within given timelines, but those timelines have not been published. Readers should wait for an official announcement before relying on any date.

What is the Air Cargo Village in Karachi?

The Air Cargo Village is a planned facility at Jinnah International Airport to support air freight, cargo handling and logistics. It is part of the plan to develop Karachi airport as a major air cargo hub.

How much will the expansions cost?

No total cost has been announced for the Lahore or Karachi expansions. This article does not give a cost figure, because none has been published by the government so far.

What other airport improvements are under way?

E-gates and automated border management are being installed at major airports, smart scanners were directed for international airports earlier in October, and 14 airports have been activated over the past year.