The government plans to establish a 400-acre apparel zone at Port Qasim, with project projections showing the creation of more than 138,000 jobs and annual exports of nearly $2.2 billion during the first phase. The proposed project aims to attract private investment, expand Pakistan’s high-value apparel manufacturing capacity and strengthen the country’s export base.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry chaired a meeting on the proposed garment city project, according to an official press release. During the meeting, officials discussed the project’s infrastructure, investment opportunities, utilities and export potential.
The proposed Port Qasim apparel zone will focus on export-oriented manufacturing, particularly high-value apparel production. The government expects the project to bring together manufacturers, supporting industries and logistics facilities within an integrated industrial cluster.
First Phase To Cover 250 Acres
According to the project plan, the first phase of the apparel zone will cover 250 acres. Around 35% of the area will be allocated for internal roads, utilities and green spaces to support industrial operations and improve the overall environment of the manufacturing cluster.
The complete project has been planned over 400 acres, while the first phase will establish the initial industrial and commercial infrastructure.
The scheme will operate under a public-private partnership model, with the government providing essential infrastructure while private investors establish and operate manufacturing facilities.
The proposed commercial layout currently includes 32 industrial plots, each measuring five acres. However, authorities are considering reducing the size of individual plots to two or three acres. This adjustment could allow more investors and manufacturing units to participate in the project.
The government expects a larger number of industrial units to increase production capacity, attract additional investment and create more employment opportunities.
Port Qasim To Provide Major Utilities
The Port Qasim Authority (PQA) will be responsible for providing infrastructure and essential utilities to industrial units established in the zone.
Under the proposed plan, each industrial unit could receive access to up to 400,000 gallons of water per day, 2 megawatts of on-grid electricity and 23,100 pounds of industrial gas per day at 8 PSI.
The available gas supply is expected to provide sufficient capacity to meet requirements for approximately 10 tonnes of steam, supporting industrial manufacturing processes.
For the overall project, planned utility capacity includes 13 million gallons of water per day, 64MW of on-grid electricity and 750,000 pounds of industrial gas daily.
The availability of dedicated utilities is expected to make the zone more attractive for textile and apparel manufacturers that require reliable energy and water supplies for large-scale production.
Artistic Milliners Plans $18m Investment
Private-sector participation will remain central to the proposed project, according to Junaid Anwar Chaudhry.
Pakistani textile and denim manufacturer Artistic Milliners is expected to establish a manufacturing facility in the zone with an investment exceeding $18 million.
The proposed facility will incorporate vertical integration and green technologies. Vertical integration could allow the company to manage multiple stages of production within the same industrial ecosystem, while green technologies are expected to support more sustainable manufacturing.
The participation of established textile manufacturers could also encourage other local and international investors to consider establishing production facilities within the apparel zone.
One-Window Export Facility Planned
The Port Qasim apparel zone will also include a one-window mechanism for exporters aimed at simplifying business and export procedures.
The planned system will include streamlined export processing, specialised customs desks and dedicated transport corridors. These facilities are intended to reduce administrative delays and improve the movement of finished goods from factories to port facilities.
The integration of manufacturing and port infrastructure is expected to provide exporters with faster access to international markets.
Port Qasim’s location also gives the proposed industrial cluster a logistical advantage by allowing manufacturers to remain close to major maritime trade infrastructure.
Government Targets Higher Export Value
Another objective of the project is to increase the average export value of Pakistani garments to approximately $8 per piece.
The government sees higher-value apparel manufacturing as an important step toward improving Pakistan’s export earnings. Rather than relying heavily on lower-value textile products, the proposed zone aims to encourage production of finished and value-added garments.
The initiative forms part of wider government efforts to expand Pakistan’s industrial base and increase export capacity. Officials believe that integrating manufacturing facilities with port infrastructure, utilities, customs services and private investment can create a more competitive export ecosystem.
If implemented according to the proposed projections, the project could become an important addition to Pakistan’s textile and apparel manufacturing sector, while creating substantial employment and supporting higher-value exports.