Govt Plans Eco-Tourism and Leisure Hub on Karachi's Ziarat Hasan Shah Island -

PAKISTAN

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has announced plans to transform Ziarat Hasan Shah Island into a modern hub for eco-tourism, sports tourism and lifestyle retreats, balancing environmental sustainability with long-term economic gains.

The federal minister said the island project, estimated to cost between Rs1 billion and Rs1.5 billion ($3.6–5.3 million), has been designated an investment priority and is expected to generate significant employment opportunities.

“Based on the project’s scale and cost, it is projected to create around 1,000 to 1,500 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase, followed by 1,200 to 1,800 sustainable jobs once operations begin,” Junaid Chaudhry said while chairing a meeting on the initiative. He added that the project would provide a “substantial boost to local livelihoods” and support long-term coastal economic growth.

Ziarat Hasan Shah Island lies near Karachi’s Eastern Zone and stretches roughly four kilometres in length, with a width ranging from 100 to 500 metres. Its southeastern sandy beach offers strong potential for hospitality, recreation and leisure activities, the minister said.

“The natural beauty and coastal environment of Ziarat Hasan Shah Island present a unique opportunity to create a high-value recreational hub that aligns with Pakistan’s growing coastal tourism demand,” Chaudhry added.

Unlike many offshore developments, the island is accessible by land, allowing a direct road connection to Karachi’s existing road network. This accessibility would help reduce infrastructure costs and accelerate development, while also encouraging local employment and business activity, the minister noted.

The project will be implemented under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) or Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with the government seeking private investors with experience in hospitality, tourism and leisure development.

“Our aim is to attract credible partners while ensuring public interests are protected and returns remain sustainable,” Junaid Chaudhry said.

Pakistan has more than 1,000 kilometres of coastline, much of it underutilised, and the government is seeking to position the maritime sector as a key driver of economic growth. The minister said environmental safeguards would be central to the island’s development, given the sensitivity of coastal ecosystems.

“Tourism must go hand in hand with responsibility,” he said, stressing a commitment to climate-conscious and standards-compliant development.

The island project is part of broader port-led and coastal initiatives aimed at expanding trade, tourism and investment as Pakistan seeks to strengthen its blue economy. — ER News Desk

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