Govt announces establishment of ‘Pakistan Maritime Energy City’

ISLAMABAD: The government has announced the establishment of Pakistan Maritime Energy City (PMEC), which is seen as an ambitious initiative aimed at meeting domestic and global energy storage and re-export needs while positioning the country as a regional hub for energy logistics.

This was announced here on Wednesday by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, while chairing a high-level meeting held to review the identification of sites for three to four new ports along the country’s coastline. The minister said Pakistan had already demonstrated its potential by facilitating foreign transshipment cargo amid ongoing regional tensions.

Chaudhary further said that the project would facilitate storage of oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), strengthen supply chains during regional tensions, and boost economic growth through integrated port and energy infrastructure, according to a press release issued.

A 12-member multi-agency committee was constituted under his ‘Hundred Years Vision 2047–2147’ to identify suitable locations and plan future maritime expansion. Pakistan’s needs will remain the top priority, but the facility will also cater to global demand, he said, adding that the energy city would also be integrated with the ports’ infrastructure.

The minister directed the committee to begin work on identifying suitable land for the project and to prepare a comprehensive development plan. He emphasised that consultations with all stakeholders, particularly provincial governments, would be carried out before the project’s formal launch.

The minister directed the committee to begin land identification and ensure consultations with all stakeholders, particularly provincial governments, before the project’s formal launch. He noted that this momentum would be leveraged to position the country as a key regional hub for energy logistics.

Highlighting the economic potential of the initiative, Junaid Chaudhry said that in times of regional instability, the proposed energy city could generate significant revenue for the country while ensuring uninterrupted supply chains. “Just as our ports are serving transshipment needs, the energy city will cater to global energy requirements,” he added.

He further said that smaller auxiliary energy facilities would also be developed to support major ports, with connectivity ensured through pipelines, maritime routes, and re-export mechanisms to strengthen supply lines.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026