A Chinese construction company has been awarded a contract of whopping $382 million by the federal government for the renovation and expansion of Lahore International Airport. The development was made public by a Chinese-state owned newspaper.
The contract has been awarded to China Construction Third Engineering Bureau. The federal government of Pakistan wants the Chinese construction company to ‘engineer, procure and construct a redesigned Lahore International Airport’.
Also Read: Japan to install face recognition system at Pakistan airports
The report also stated:
“Following its expansion and reconstruction, it will become Pakistan’s largest airport”
As per the Chinese-state owned newspaper, it will be the largest overseas project for the company. In addition, it will also mark another ‘significant accomplishment in Belt and Road construction’.
It is important to mention that the Chinese construction company has also grabbed few other contracts for quite a few other projects across Pakistan. Previously, China Construction Third Engineering Bureau was linked to the Karachi-Lahore Expressway between Sukkur and Multan, Arfa Software Technology Park Lahore and the Centaurus Hotel in Islamabad.
Quick Read: Revolutionary projects including Gwadar airport and eastern expressway to begin this year
Spanish firm also received the contract last year
Before this contract, a Spanish company known as TYPSA International was also awarded the similar contract last year to redesign Lahore International Airport. The firm got plenty of in-depth details regarding the design of the to-be-constructed airport along with an estimated completion time. It was also reported that the redesigned Lahore International Airport will be modified to the shape of national flower Jasmine.
The Spanish firm was supposed to complete the project within 30 months from the time they were being awarded the contract.
According to the company’s website, it has finalized the comprehensive layout of the new airport. In addition, they have also presented it to the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Read More: Etihad Airways celebrates as USA lifts laptop ban from Abu Dhabi
Moving Forward
We assume the news to be authentic since it is coming from a Chinese-state owned newspaper. However, the government of Pakistan has yet to officially confirm or deny this very development. Moreover, there is also no word about TYPSA International involvement in the project.
Plenty of questions arise as what prompted the federal government to silently change the contractor (if they have).
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
