The United Arab Emirates has shelved plans to manage and operate Islamabad International Airport, days after UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to India, according to a report by the Express Tribune.
The proposed agreement, under discussion since August 2025, was dropped after the UAE failed to nominate a local partner to whom airport operations could be outsourced. Pakistani authorities had sought a final response through a formal communication, but Abu Dhabi conveyed it was still unable to confirm a nominated entity, the report said.
The Pakistani publication did not attribute the collapse of the deal to political reasons. However, the decision comes at a time of shifting regional dynamics, including tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over support for rival groups in Yemen.
Pakistan has recently strengthened defence ties with Saudi Arabia and has expressed interest in forming a proposed security grouping with Riyadh and Turkey, often referred to as an “Islamic NATO.” In contrast, the UAE has signed new defence agreements with India.The airport decision also follows concerns over governance and infrastructure in Pakistan. Recent reports have pointed to mismanagement and political interference in state-owned enterprises, many of which have been privatised or offered for sale, including Pakistan International Airlines.
The UAE has previously managed airports in complex environments, including Afghanistan. Its withdrawal from the Islamabad project signals a pause in its engagement with Pakistan’s aviation sector.
