Minister Announces 400-acre Port Qasim Garment City Project, 138,000 Jobs Projected
ISLAMABAD, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 17th Aug, 2026)
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has announced plans to establish a 400-acre apparel zone at Port Qasim, with its first phase projected to create over 138,000 jobs and generate annual exports of around $2.2 billion.
Project Details:
- Phase 1: Covering 250 acres, focusing on high-value apparel production, attracting private investment via a public-private partnership.
- Infrastructure: Includes 32 industrial plots (potentially reduced to 2-3 acres), access to 400,000 gallons of water/day, 2MW electricity, and 23,100 PSI industrial gas.
- Overall Capacity: 13 million gallons water/day, 64MW electricity, and 750,000 PSI gas/day.
Key Components:
- Private Sector Participation: A Pakistani textile company, Artistic Milliners, will invest over $18 million, incorporating vertical integration and green technologies.
- One-Window Mechanism: Streamlined export processing, dedicated customs desks, and transport corridors for exporters.
- Employment & Exports: First phase projected to employ 138,125 and generate $2.2 billion in annual exports, aiming to increase garment export value to around $8 per piece.
The initiative is part of Pakistan’s efforts to expand its industrial base and export capacity by integrating port infrastructure, utilities, customs facilities, and private investment into the proposed apparel zone.
