The proposed 150-acre AIRE Park will bring vehicle import, refurbishment, display and export activities under one port-based ecosystem.
KARACHI: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has announced plans to establish a 150-acre automotive processing zone at Port Qasim, aimed at creating an integrated hub for vehicle imports, refurbishment, display and exports.
The announcement was made during 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 proposed automotive zone would be developed in phases, with future expansion linked to market demand after completion of the first phase.
264 units planned across five segments
According to the project concept, 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
• 70 auto spare-parts units
The facility is planned within the Port Qasim industrial corridor, giving automotive businesses direct access to the port and potentially reducing inland logistics requirements for imported and exported vehicles.
Pakistan’s first AIRE framework
The proposed project is envisioned as Pakistan’s first dedicated Import-Refurbishment-Export (AIRE) framework for the automotive sector.
The facility would bring vehicle importers, refurbishment businesses, machinery operators, display centres and spare-parts suppliers together within a single port-based ecosystem.
The integrated model is intended to facilitate automotive trade while supporting value addition and export-oriented activities.
$200 million annual foreign exchange surplus projected
Project proponents estimate that the proposed AIRE Park could generate an annual net foreign exchange surplus of around $200 million, based on projected exports of approximately $500 million.
The strategic location of Port Qasim has been highlighted as a major advantage given its role as one of Pakistan’s key gateways for vehicle trade and seaborne commerce.
The proposed automotive zone would also be positioned along the Arabian Sea shipping corridor connecting South Asia with the Gulf and East Africa, potentially creating opportunities for regional vehicle trade.
Expansion to follow market demand
PQA Chairman Rear Admiral (Retd) Syed Moazzam Ilyas said the phased development model would allow the automotive zone to expand according to market demand.
He added that the project could potentially serve as a model for establishing similar automotive processing zones elsewhere in Pakistan.
If implemented as planned, the proposed facility could strengthen Port Qasim’s role in Pakistan’s automotive supply chain while creating a dedicated ecosystem for vehicle-related commercial and export activities.