KARACHI: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Wednesday announced plans to establish an automotive processing zone on 150 acres at Port Qasim, envisioned as the country’s first dedicated Import-Refurbishment-Export (AIRE) framework for the automotive sector, with the facility to be expanded in phases according to market demand.
The decision was taken at a meeting attended by Port Qasim Authority (PQA) Chairman Rear Admiral (Retd) Syed Moazzam Ilyas and members of the PQA Board.
The minister said the auto zone would be expanded in phases after completion of the first phase, allowing the project to grow with market demand.
The proposed zone will comprise 264 operational units across five specialised segments. These include 30 commercial units, 84 refurbishment workshops, 60 car display units, 20 machinery yards and 70 auto spare-parts units.
The facility will be developed within the Port Qasim industrial corridor, providing direct access to the port and reducing inland logistics requirements for imported and exported vehicles.
The project aims to create an integrated platform for vehicle import, refurbishment, display and export.
Port Qasim’s strategic location has been identified as a key advantage, given the port’s role as one of Pakistan’s major gateways for vehicle trade and a significant share of the country’s seaborne commerce.
Project proponents estimate the AIRE Park could generate an annual net foreign exchange surplus of around $200 million, based on estimated exports of $500 million.
The facility is also expected to bring commercial activities, refurbishment facilities, machinery yards, vehicle displays and spare-parts suppliers into a single port-based ecosystem.
The proposed zone would sit along the Arabian Sea shipping corridor connecting South Asia with the Gulf and East Africa, potentially facilitating regional vehicle trade.
Rear Admiral (Retd) Syed Moazzam Ilyas said the phased approach would allow the project to expand according to market demand, adding it could serve as a model for establishing similar automotive zones elsewhere in the country.
