ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that infrastructure projects are the backbone of a growing economy and are essential for facilitating masses. He said this while chairing a high-level meeting to review the progress of new Islamabad International Airport project and its allied infrastructure in Islamabad on Monday. Secretary Aviation Division informed that 95 percent work on the Airport terminal building has been completed and during March 2017 all civil works would be completed. Thereafter, the facility will undergo extensive testing to check that it conforms to international standards and by July 2017 the Airport would be ready for operations. The prime minister was further informed that the new airport will have a capacity of handling 4,500 passengers at a time with 15 docking stations. PM was updated that the new airport will have state-of-the-art facilities including cargo handling, safety and security, passenger facilitation and parking services. As regards the allied infrastructure for the new airport, NHA chairman updated that the new airport is being provided main road access from both Motorways M-1 & M-2 and also from main GT Road (N-5). Moreover, the airport will also have access from Islamabad Metro that the prime minister will inaugurate on 14th August, 2017 along with the Islamabad International Airport. Nawaz Sharif has directed that no compromise should be made on the quality of work for the airport facilities, access roads and the metro bus link as it would be a sign of Pakistan’s progress for the eyes of foreigners visiting Pakistan. The prime minister was also informed that work on the new terminal at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, will be started in March 2017.