Pakistan is planning to establish a 150-acre automotive processing zone at Port Qasim to promote vehicle imports, refurbishment, trade and exports.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced the proposal during a meeting with Port Qasim Authority (PQA) Chairman Rear Admiral (retd) Syed Moazzam Ilyas and members of the PQA Board.
The proposed facility will be developed in phases, with future expansion based on market demand. The first phase is expected to comprise 264 operational units across five specialised segments, including 30 commercial units, 84 refurbishment workshops, 60 vehicle display units, 20 machinery yards and 70 auto spare parts units.
The zone will be established within the Port Qasim industrial corridor, giving businesses direct access to the port. This is expected to reduce inland transportation and logistics costs associated with imported and exported vehicles.
The project is designed to create an integrated platform covering vehicle imports, refurbishment, display and exports. It is being proposed as Pakistan’s first dedicated Import Refurbishment Export (AIRE) framework for the automotive industry.
Port Qasim’s strategic location is considered a major advantage for the project, as the port serves as one of Pakistan’s key gateways for vehicle trade and handles a significant portion of the country’s seaborne commerce.
According to project estimates, the proposed AIRE Park could generate around $500 million in annual exports and contribute a net foreign exchange surplus of approximately $200 million.
The facility is also expected to bring commercial operations, refurbishment workshops, machinery yards, vehicle display areas and spare parts suppliers together within a single port based ecosystem.
Located along the Arabian Sea shipping corridor linking South Asia with the Gulf and East Africa, the zone could also facilitate regional vehicle trade and strengthen Pakistan’s position in the automotive supply chain.
PQA Chairman Rear Admiral (retd) Syed Moazzam Ilyas said the phased development model would allow the project to expand in line with market demand. He added that the initiative could eventually serve as a model for establishing similar automotive zones in other parts of the country.
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