Saudi Arabia’s Asyad Group has expressed interest in Pakistan’s upcoming airport privatisation process as the group was working to bring together Saudi and international partners with relevant technical expertise for potential bids.
The development came during a meeting between Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb and Ghassan Ahmed Amodi, Chief Executive Officer, Asyad Group, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Chairperson, Wafi Energy Pakistan Limited Board of Directors, accompanied by Javaid Akhtar, Group CFO, Asyad Group and Board Member, Wafi Energy Pakistan Limited; Zubair Shaikh, CEO, Wafi Energy Pakistan Limited; and Imran Hussain Qureshi, Corporate & Government Relations Director, Wafi Energy Pakistan Limited, read a statement on Thursday.
The meeting focused on the Group’s existing investment portfolio in Pakistan, plans for further expansion, and opportunities to undertake new investments across key sectors, including those arising from the Government’s broader privatisation efforts.
Amodi reaffirmed Asyad Group’s commitment to Pakistan as a long-term investment destination and expressed satisfaction with its experience in the country.
He highlighted Pakistan’s importance within the Group’s investment portfolio outside Saudi Arabia and shared plans to further expand its presence in Pakistan.
Amodi briefed the finance minister on Asyad Group’s interest in participating in the upcoming airport privatisation process and its efforts to bring together Saudi and international partners with relevant technical expertise.
He also shared recent developments in the Group’s airport operations and its growing international experience in the sector.
The Pakistani government has initiated a process to outsource the operations and land assets of three major airports: Jinnah International Karachi, Islamabad International, and Allama Iqbal International Lahore.
The primary goal is to enhance passenger services, modernise facilities, optimise revenue potential, and attract foreign investment through a public-private partnership model.
The finance minister welcomed the continued interest of Saudi investors in Pakistan and highlighted new opportunities being opened through the ongoing privatisation process.
He emphasised the importance of attracting credible, long-term investors and facilitating commercially viable investments across key sectors. He also highlighted the importance of multidimensional engagement with Saudi Arabia and the private sector in advancing investment, trade and economic cooperation.
The meeting also covered Wafi Energy Pakistan Limited’s ongoing expansion and investment plans, including its growing retail network, storage infrastructure and digitalisation initiatives.
The company briefed the finance minister on its investments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of the country and its plans to further expand its operations.
Amodi also apprised the finance minister of the Group’s interest in exploring additional investment opportunities in Pakistan, including the financial sector, and in bringing further Saudi and Pakistani investors together for potential projects.
Aurangzeb highlighted Pakistan’s progress towards macroeconomic stability, including improvements in key economic indicators and the country’s sovereign credit profile.
The finance minister appreciated Asyad Group’s continued confidence in Pakistan and its commitment to expanding investment. He assured that the government would continue to facilitate investors and support efforts aimed at strengthening private-sector participation and promoting investment-led economic growth.
Aurangzeb also highlighted the importance of Pakistan’s strategic location and its potential to serve as a gateway to regional markets. He encouraged continued collaboration with the private sector to identify viable opportunities and translate investment interest into tangible projects.
