Also known as Chaklala Airbase, it was renamed after the late Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto (1953–2007) in June 2008.

In March 2006, Pakistan International Airlines launched a direct flight from Islamabad to Toronto on Boeing 777s.

[4][5] In the fiscal year 2008–2009, over 3,136,664 passengers used the Benazir Bhutto International Airport and 34,025 aircraft movements were registered.

[9] A new airport was constructed in Fateh Jang, Attock District, approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) west of the twin cities.

It was built to replace the existing Benazir Bhutto International Airport in response to increasing air traffic and passenger load.

The runway is expected to remain in use by the PAF in the near future and VIPs and other dignitaries will continue to use the airbase instead of Islamabad International Airport.