After UAE & Saudi, Qatar cold shoulders Pakistan by refusing to invest in airport projects

NEW DELHI: Qatar, after UAE and Saudi Arabia, has could shouldered Pakistan with Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) decided against investing in key infra projects in Pakistan.

QIA is not interested in investing in airports in Pakistan mainly because of deviation from model of 2017 by authorities in Pakistan who are against handing over airport operations to professional management, according to reports in Pakistan media.

Pakistan desires to outsource individual services like parking services, tuck shop services, restaurant services at the airports, so that they could retain operational control. “The deviation by the authorities concerned from the earlier model carved out in 2017 under which expression of interests were sought for ‘Operation Management and Development Agreement’ and ‘Airport Services Licence’ is the main reason of refusal by Qatar Investment Authority to invest in major airports of Pakistan,” reveal the official documents accessed by Pakistani media.


Qatar wanted Pakistan to transfer the ownership of three airports, which include Islamabad Airport, Jinnah International Airport, Karachi and Allama Iqbal Airport, Lahore through purchasing the stakes of the government owned company up to 40 percent. The Qatar Investment Authority under new scenario has shown no interest in the government’s offer of outsourcing the commercial activities of these airports.

Qatar Investment Authority had desired Pakistan to transfer the ownership of the three airports in the name of the government owned company and buy 35-40 percent strategic stakes in that company.

According to the official documents available with Pakistan English daily The News, during the visit of Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan to Qatar, the Qatari Amir had expressed desire for investment in Pakistan’s major airports, but necessary efforts are not made. Qatar Investment Authority did not show interest in new plan.

The documents available with The News revealed that a committee comprising Adviser to PM on Commerce and Investment, Minister for Aviation, Adviser to PM on Parliamentary Affairs, Special Assistant to PM on Overseas Pakistanis, Chairman Board of Investment and Secretary Aviation has been consisted to evaluate the available options and recommend the way forward. The committee, according to the documents, has also been directed to complete by June 30, 2020 segregation of regulatory and operational functions of Civil Aviation Authority along with two drafts legislation.