KARACHI: Work has begun on a Rs12 billion project to modernise the Gadani shipbreaking yard and upgrade its infrastructure in line with international safety and environmental standards, Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Thursday.
Chairing a steering committee meeting to review progress on the project, the minister said physical construction was underway on key facilities, including a 30-bed hospital, a labour colony, a school and solar power infrastructure.
“Our objective is to transform Gadani’s traditional shipbreaking practices into a modern, safe, and environmentally responsible ship-recycling industry that meets global standards,” Chaudhry said, highlighting the yard’s role in Pakistan’s steel scrap market and supply chains.
The project covers both social and industrial infrastructure and includes 32 kilometres of internal roads, a public park, hazardous and industrial waste-treatment systems, fire and rescue stations, and dedicated water-treatment facilities.
Project Director Saeed Ahmed Umrani informed the committee that implementation had entered the active procurement and construction phase, backed by a federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) allocation of Rs780 million for 2026-27.
The project aims to bring the Gadani shipbreaking yard in line with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships.
Chaudhry directed project authorities to maintain the pace of implementation and ensure that all new infrastructure meets required operational standards.
