A high-level meeting on the consultancy, feasibility study, and master planning for the proposed Greenfield International Airport in Sukkur was held at the Commissioner’s Office under the chairmanship of Sukkur Division Commissioner Abid Saleem Qureshi on Monday.
The session was attended by Engr Hafiz Zahid Ishaq, Project Director, Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA); Director GIMS Dr Raheem Bakhsh Bhatti; and representatives from over 20 government, semi-government, and stakeholder institutions, including Irrigation, Highways, Planning & Development, PDMA, NDMA, Pakistan Railways, NHA, SEPA, Sui Southern Gas, PTCL, NADRA, FIA, GIMS, APP, SEPCO, WWF, Sukkur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and others.
The meeting focused on inter-institutional coordination to provide technical data and information required for the airport’s feasibility and master plan. Commissioner Qureshi stressed that the airport is a game-changer for Sindh, especially Upper Sindh, and directed all departments to share departmental data with consultants without delay. To expedite the process, he ordered each institution to appoint a focal person for data provision. He warned that negligence or delays would not be tolerated, calling the project a “national asset for future generations”.
Consultants Briefing and Project Vision
Engr Hafiz Zahid Ishaq briefed participants that internationally reputed consultants have been engaged for design, feasibility, and master planning. He said the new airport is being designed to meet Pakistan’s air transport needs for the next 50 years. The existing Sukkur Airport cannot function as a full international airport due to technical and operational limits, so a new Greenfield site is being selected. He added that the project will boost trade, tourism, and economic activity across Sukkur division and Upper Sindh, creating long-term regional development.
Foreign consultants also updated officers on progress so far and the specific technical data needed from each department.
Stakeholder Engagement and Medical Tourism
Director GIMS Dr Rahim Bakhsh Bhatti attended as a key stakeholder, underlining the airport’s role in improving medical tourism and emergency healthcare access for the region. The meeting underscored the importance of timely data sharing to ensure the project moves forward without delays, with all institutions committing to provide the required information.
