Islamabad: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced on Wednesday the establishment of a 150-acre automotive processing zone at Port Qasim, which will be developed in phases to align with market demand.

According to Press Information Department, the decision was reached during a meeting with Port Qasim Authority (PQA) Chairman, Rear Admiral (Retd) Syed Moazzam Ilyas, and PQA Board members. The proposed automotive zone will include 264 operational units divided into five specialized segments, consisting of commercial units, refurbishment workshops, car display units, machinery yards, and auto spare-parts units.

The project is part of an initiative to create an integrated platform for vehicle import, refurbishment, display, and export. It is envisioned as Pakistan’s first dedicated Import-Refurbishment-Export (AIRE) framework for the automotive industry. The facility is planned to be situated within the Port Qasim industrial corridor, which offers direct port access and could reduce logistics requirements for imported and exported vehicles.

Port Qasim’s strategic significance as a major gateway for vehicle trade in Pakistan has been recognized as a pivotal factor for the project. The AIRE Park is projected to generate an annual net foreign exchange surplus of approximately $200 million, based on estimated exports of $500 million.

The comprehensive facility aims to support automotive businesses by centralizing commercial activities, refurbishment facilities, machinery yards, vehicle displays, and spare-parts suppliers within a single port-based ecosystem. Its location along the Arabian Sea shipping corridor, connecting South Asia with the Gulf and East Africa, is expected to enhance regional vehicle trade.

Chairman of Port Qasim Authority, Rear Admiral (Retd) Syed Moazzam Ilyas, highlighted that the phased approach would not only allow the project to grow with market demand but also serve as a model for similar automotive zones across the country.