The federal government has halted the expansion work at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport, initially projected to cost Rs. 26 billion. This delay is expected to increase the overall construction expenses.
According to a private news channel, citing sources, the federal government has instructed a Pakistani and a Chinese company involved in the airport expansion project to cease work. This decision was made during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on July 26, 2024.
Since the government first decided to expand the airport in 2016 and again in 2018, international firms collaborated with Pakistani companies on the project.
However, work was halted during the PTI government’s tenure. In 2024, a letter of intent (LOI) was issued to a partnership between a Chinese and a Pakistani company, which led to the resumption of work.
In separate news, a German tourist traveling by bicycle was robbed near Lahore Airport on Saturday.
27-year-old Berg Florian was camping near the airport when armed assailants approached him. The robbers stole his mobile phone and cash before escaping.