Minister Invites Proposals to Develop 140-Acre Industrial Park at Karachi Port

Karachi: Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar, has invited local and international investors to submit proposals for the development of 140 acres of Karachi Port Trust (KPT) land into a state-of-the-art industrial park through a public-private partnership model.

Addressing members of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Tuesday, the minister said the initiative is designed to strengthen Pakistan’s maritime and industrial sectors amid increasing global trade activity. The project will operate as a joint venture, with KPT serving as a strategic partner while private investors handle development and management operations.

Anwar encouraged entrepreneurs to form a private-sector consortium to execute the project, promising full government support and transparency throughout the process. “I will act as a neutral facilitator to ensure fair and transparent engagement with all investors,” he assured.

He further shared that the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) is set to expand its fleet by 50%, with contracts for five new vessels nearing finalization. The fleet will grow to 30 ships within a year, helping reduce freight costs and enhance national shipping capacity.

Reiterating his opposition to the commercial sale of port land, the minister stressed that such spaces must be dedicated to trade, logistics, and industrial growth. He outlined a long-term vision for 100% port capacity utilization by 2047, aligned with Pakistan’s industrial expansion goals.

Discussing Gwadar’s development, Anwar said its progress depends on establishing industries like tuna processing, date exports, and livestock trade with China, adding that the security situation in Gwadar is now “better than Karachi.”

He also announced plans to establish a Pakistan Maritime Industrial Zone on 700 acres, which will include shipbuilding facilities, a steel melting unit, and a ship-breaking yard, marking a major step toward maritime industrialization.