Keti Bandar eyed as $2.5b maritime, energy, trade hub

CM orders investment dept to urgently prepare PPP model for deep-sea port, integrated economic corridor

KARACHI:

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed the Investment Department to urgently prepare a comprehensive, investment-focused public-private partnership (PPP) model to develop Keti Bandar into a modern deep-sea port and commercial hub in line with the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.

The directive was issued at a meeting held at the Chief Minister's House on Saturday.

The chief minister told the meeting that Keti Bandar would be developed as part of a major maritime and economic development project featuring a modern deep-sea port and an integrated economic corridor. The project would be prepared in line with the vision presented in the provincial budget, with the aim of turning Sindh into a prominent maritime, logistics, industrial and energy hub in the region. Shah directed the relevant departments to prepare detailed plans covering port infrastructure, industrial development, logistics, fisheries, energy facilities and tourism-related investment, along with a phased development strategy.

He said the proposed Keti Bandar Integrated Corridor would serve as a key driver of economic growth, job creation and foreign investment while unlocking the development potential of Sindh's coastline and the Indus Delta.

Under the project, Keti Bandar would be transformed under a PPP framework into a world-class maritime, logistics, industrial and energy hub. Key components would include a deep-sea port, logistics and warehousing facilities, industrial zones, energy infrastructure, fisheries and seafood-processing facilities, tourism projects and export-oriented economic activities.

According to the Sindh budget 2026-27, CM Shah said, the Keti Bandar Maritime, Fisheries and Petroleum Economic Corridor has investment potential of $1 billion to $2.5 billion. The corridor would include a modern fishing harbour, seafood export-processing facilities, petroleum-handling terminals, logistics infrastructure and industrial support zones.

He also directed officials to formulate detailed plans to develop Keti Bandar as a future energy gateway. The plan would include import facilities for LNG/RLNG and LPG, along with other key energy infrastructure. A feasibility study has already identified around 4,000 acres of land for the proposed development.