Cold storage facility to strengthen Islamabad
International Airport's cargo infrastructure
The Pakistan Airports
Authority (PAA) has announced plans to establish a modern cold storage
facility at Islamabad International Airport through a long-term lease
arrangement, aimed at strengthening the airport's cargo handling
infrastructure.
According to the authority, lease rights for the
construction, operation, and management of the facility will be auctioned on July 30, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. The auction will take
place in the Red Building Conference Room, Block III, at Islamabad
International Airport.
The proposed facility will be developed on Plot E-102, located near Cargo
Avenue. The site spans 1,684 square
yards, with bidding set to commence at Rs. 15,750 per square yard.
Interested companies are required to submit Rs. 1 million as earnest money to participate in the
bidding process.
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Under the proposed arrangement, the successful bidder
will be awarded a 30-year lease,
with the possibility of a 20-year
extension through mutual agreement, subject to the provisions
of the Pakistan Airports Authority's Land Lease Policy 2019.
The selected operator will be responsible for financing,
constructing, owning, and managing the facility at its own expense. The site
will be leased on an "as is, where is" basis.
The PAA stated that participation in the auction is
restricted to registered and licensed companies possessing the necessary
approvals and experience to operate cold storage or temperature-controlled warehousing
facilities. Bidders must submit documentary evidence of their eligibility to
the auction committee before the proceedings begin.
Companies that have been blacklisted by the authority or
have defaulted on payments to the PAA will not be eligible to participate.
Applicants are also required to provide two copies of
their Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC), a non-refundable
participation fee of Rs. 1,000,
and the earnest money in the form of a pay order issued in favour of the
Pakistan Airports Authority. All documents and payments must be submitted
before the commencement of the auction.
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The authority said earnest money submitted by
unsuccessful bidders will be refunded within 15 days after confirmation of the
successful bid. However, the highest bid will remain subject to approval by the
PAA Executive Committee. If the committee does not approve the bid, the
authority will conduct a fresh auction within 30 days.
The planned cold storage facility is expected to enhance
the safe handling and storage of temperature-sensitive cargo, including
pharmaceuticals, food products, and other perishable goods, supporting the
continued development of air cargo operations at Islamabad International
Airport.
The Pakistan Airports Authority has advised interested companies to contact
its Commercial and Estates Directorate or visit its official website for
further information regarding the auction process.