Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has directed the Civil Aviation Authority to expedite efforts to develop air cargo facilities and establish business partnerships to position Gwadar as a hub for international airlines.

Chairing a high-level meeting in Islamabad, he said  international airlines, currently using Oman and Dubai for technical landings can find Gwadar a cost-effective alternative and instructed officials to position Gwadar International Airport accordingly.

To incentivize long-haul flights from regions such as South Africa and Australia, the Minister proposed providing attractive rates for at least five years, emphasizing technical landings as a key strategy.