The Ministry of Maritime Affairs will set up a 150 acre automotive processing zone at Port Qasim in Karachi to import, repair, and export vehicles, aiming to bring $200 million into the country every year.
The Pakistani government has approved a plan to build a dedicated 150-acre Automative Processing Zone at Port Qasim in Karachi.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced the project after a meeting with Port Qasim Authority (PQA) Chairman Rear Admiral (Retd) Syed Moazzam Ilyas and PQA Board members.
The project introduces Pakistan’s first dedicated Import-Refurbishment-Export (AIRE) framework for the automotive industry. It will allow companies to import used vehicles, repair or rebuild them locally, and export them to other countries.
Officials estimate that this project could bring in around $200 million in net foreign income for Pakistan each year.
Breakdown of 264 Operational Units
The auto zone will be built in phases inside Port Qasim. The initial setup includes 264 units split into five main areas:
- Refurbishment Workshops: 84 units
- Auto Spare Parts Outlets: 70 units
- Car Display Units: 60 units
- Commercial Units: 30 units
- Heavy Machinery Yards: 20 units
Why the Location Helps Business
Setting up the auto zone inside Port Qasim makes shipping faster and cheaper. Companies will not have to pay extra money to move vehicles across long road routes inside the country.
The port’s location on the Arabian Sea also gives easy access to buyer markets in the Gulf region and East Africa. Syed Moazzam Ilyas noted that if this project succeeds, similar specialized zones could be built in other parts of Pakistan in the future.
