On September 25, 2021, the Federal Government of Pakistan announced an ambitious plan to use Chinese direct investment of US$3.5 billion under the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to rebuild Karachi’s coastline and build a new port for Karachi. And completely transform the coast of Karachi. This also includes the establishment of a new fishing port and a "majestic harbour bridge" connecting the islands.

Karachi becomes the world's top port city

According to the proposal, the Karachi Coastal Comprehensive Development Zone will cover an area of more than 640 hectares, located in the western backwater marshland of the Karachi Port Trust. This is the Machar Colony, which is one of the oldest urban slums in the city. Under the measures, the area will be re-planned, involving a migrant population of more than 500,000.

The Karachi Coastal Comprehensive Development Zone is the latest project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Project. The project aims to provide Karachi with an ultra-modern urban infrastructure area, making it one of the top port cities in the world. Cabinet members of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan revealed that the project "has great potential for global investors."

Said Ali Zaidi, Minister of Maritime Affairs of Pakistan, said in an interview: "The best thing about this project is that it is completely based on Chinese investment and does not have any loans." He said: "Chinese people work very fast. , I don’t think it will take 5 or 6 years to complete this project. According to the agreed plan, we will relocate approximately 20,000 to 25,000 families from the Machar colony. This is a big event for Pakistan. It will also It brings multiple advantages to Pakistan’s maritime economy and further strengthens our coastal development."

He said that after taking office as Minister of Oceans, he actively sought opportunities for the Karachi Coastal Comprehensive Development Zone and made every effort to include it in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project. To this end, he consulted many Chinese companies, investors and government officials, and his efforts finally yielded results. Earlier, the Federal Minister shared this "significant decision" on social media platforms and involved some attention-grabbing details of the Karachi Coastal Comprehensive Development Zone. But he did not explain the terms and conditions for the Chinese investors to invest 3.5 billion U.S. dollars (approximately 592 billion rupees).

Zaidi shared an official statement on Twitter stating, “The 10th China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’s 10th Joint Cooperation Committee was held in Islamabad and Beijing on September 23, 2021, during which a landmark decision was made. The two countries agreed to include the Karachi Coastal Comprehensive Development Zone into the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. The Karachi Coastal Comprehensive Development Zone is an initiative of the Ministry of Ocean Affairs to provide Karachi with an ultra-modern urban infrastructure area, making Karachi the world’s top One of the port cities."

The minister also shared a vivid concept map of the Karachi Coastal Comprehensive Development Zone, showing a huge developed coastline dotted with multiple buildings, concrete structures and planned blocks, but did not mention their public facilities. He claimed that all development projects will be carried out on the "KPT Reclamation Area", covering an area of 640 hectares.

The statement stated: "Developed on the reclaimed area of approximately 640 hectares of Houhai Marsh in the western part of KPT, the Karachi Coastal Comprehensive Development Zone is not only Pakistan's flagship project, but also the flagship project of the entire region." According to Imran Khan’s vision of low-cost housing. The Karachi Coastal Comprehensive Development Zone will also provide resettlement for more than 20,000 families living in the surrounding slums. The environmentally friendly Karachi Coastal Comprehensive Development Zone has planned 4 new ports for KPT, adding depth to Pakistan’s expanding maritime sector. "

The statement also said that the project will also include a state-of-the-art fishing port and a world-class fishery export processing zone to increase Pakistan’s trade potential. It said that by building a water treatment plant at the mouth of the Lyari River, it will greatly improve the marine ecosystem and reduce pollution. The statement said: "The Karachi Coastal Comprehensive Development Zone will be connected to the rest of Karachi by building a magnificent harbour bridge from behind Pakistan's deep-water port, and will have an exit ramp to the Manola Islands and Shazu Beach."

Keywords: One Belt One Road, overseas projects, engineering news

The statement stated that the Karachi Coastal Comprehensive Development Zone will start "Pakistan's untapped blue economy and significantly strengthen the development and industrial cooperation between the two fraternal countries. The Karachi Coastal Comprehensive Development Zone is a game changer in Pakistan." Editor/Tian Zengpeng