KARACHI: Port Qasim Authority (PQA) has launched multiple mega-development projects aimed at modernizing its port system and streamlining Pakistan’s logistics network by 2027. This massive transformation is backed by a 30-year master plan that is poised to attract $2 billion in fresh foreign investments from the UAE, Turkiye, Qatar, and China. As a key part of this expansion, the Reko Diq Mining Company is injecting $150 million directly into the port, with a dedicated railway track already under construction to connect the mining reserves straight to Port Qasim for seamless export. Furthermore, under the ML-1 framework, a new railway line from Pipri to Port Qasim is being built to facilitate future Thar coal exports, aligning with a broader future vision to connect Gwadar Port, Karachi Port, and Port Qasim into a single unified network. To accommodate larger global vessels, a $250 million dredging operation has commenced to increase the channel depth for modern ships requiring an 18-meter draft. Beyond infrastructure, the initiative prioritizes environmental sustainability by integrating marine pollution control, mangrove preservation, and the innovative “Sea-to-Steel” project into the national priority agenda, ultimately creating a seamless network that will significantly reduce heavy cargo traffic on Karachi’s roads.
