Three airports generate Rs130b in three years

The Aviation Ministry presented a detailed report to the National Assembly on Monday, outlining the revenues generated by airports in Pakistan over the last three financial years. According to the ministry's data, Jinnah International Airport in Karachi generated Rs40 billion in revenue, Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore earned Rs44 billion, and Islamabad International Airport recorded Rs46 billion in revenue.

To further enhance revenues and improve airport standards, the Aviation Ministry revealed plans to outsource the management and operations of airports in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. However, it assured that the civil aviation authority would retain ownership of the airports' assets.

In another presentation by the Cabinet Division, the employment figures in the telecom sector were highlighted, particularly in the context of the adoption of 3G and 4G technologies. Since the introduction of these technologies, the telecom sector created approximately 200,000 jobs. Telecom companies directly employed 5,780 individuals, while mobile device manufacturing companies offered 50,000 job opportunities.

Currently, about 44,200 employees are engaged with telecom companies, and the number of internet users in the country has surpassed 128 million.

Furthermore, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) conducted 547 quality check surveys in the last four years. In response to any violations, 37 show cause notices were issued, and fines amounting to Rs68.9 million were imposed.

In March, the government approved an advisory service agreement with a branch of the World Bank Group, aiming to hand over operations of three international airports in Pakistan to a foreign entity. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet endorsed the draft Transaction Advisory Agreement (TASA) reached between Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCCA) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for outsourcing the three airports.

It should be noted that the draft agreement seemed to favor the IFC, as it provided safeguards and penalties in case Pakistan opted to terminate the contract.

These developments signify the government's efforts to optimize airport revenues and foster growth in the telecom sector, creating job opportunities and improving overall connectivity in the country. However, it is crucial to strike a balance that ensures equitable arrangements and benefits for both the government and the stakeholders involved in these initiatives.