Pakistan approves agreement for UAE to develop cargo terminal at Karachi port

Shipping containers are seen stacked on a ship at a sea port in Karachi on April 6, 2023. (AFP/File)
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Updated 25 July 2023
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Pakistan approves agreement for UAE to develop cargo terminal at Karachi port

  • UAE’s Abu Dhabi Ports signed a 50-year concession agreement with Karachi Port Trust last month
  • Joint venture with AD Ports Group will see an investment of $220 million in Pakistan over 10 years

KARACHI: Pakistan on Monday approved a framework agreement for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to develop a bulk and general cargo terminal at Karachi port, Pakistan’s finance ministry announced on Monday.

Last week, Pakistan had constituted a committee comprising the secretary of law and justice, secretary of maritime affairs and representatives from the ministry of foreign affairs and finance, to negotiate a draft framework agreement with the UAE government to develop the terminal.

The final decision to sign an agreement with the UAE was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Inter-Governmental Commercial Transactions (CCoIGCT), chaired by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, on Monday.

“The Committee approved G2G draft Framework Agreement for the ratification of the Federal Cabinet,” the ministry of finance said in statement. “The agreement will be signed between the governments of the UAE and Pakistan.”

The CCoIGCT considered a summary by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs regarding a G2G agreement between the governments of the UAE and Pakistan on cooperation for the development of the terminal at the East Wharf at Karachi Port under an Inter-Governmental Commercial Transaction Act, 2022, according to the ministry.

The development comes as UAE’s Abu Dhabi Ports (AD Ports), a leading port operator, signed a 50-year concession agreement with the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) last month regarding the handling of one of its port terminals in Karachi.

Under the agreement, the Pakistan International Container Terminal (PICT) has been handed over to a joint venture (JV) between AD Ports Group, a majority shareholder, and Kaheel Terminals, a UAE-based company, formed to manage, operate and develop the Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited (KGTL) at berths 6-9 at Karachi Port’s East Wharf.

The joint venture will see an investment of $220 million in Pakistan over the first 10 years.

The agreement is expected to boost Pakistan-UAE bilateral relations and strengthen trade ties with key nations, leading to increased economic growth for Pakistan.


Chinese giant Hoymiles enters Pakistani market to provide high-tech energy storage solutions

Updated 05 January 2026
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Chinese giant Hoymiles enters Pakistani market to provide high-tech energy storage solutions

  • The development comes after Pakistan emerges as one of world’s fastest-growing solar markets, importing nearly 50GW of solar panels
  • Hoymiles entry will address long-hour backup and energy storage challenges facing Pakistan’s growing solar sector, local partner says

KARACHI: Renowned Chinese inverter manufacturer Hoymiles has entered Pakistan to provide high-tech, long-duration energy storage solutions for residential, commercial and industrial buildings by utilizing solar systems for electricity consumption, its Pakistani partner said on Monday.

Over the past few years, a large number of Pakistani industrial, commercial and residential electricity consumers have shifted to solar power systems to address frequent power outages and the rising cost of electricity. Reports indicate that net-metering capacity currently stands at 6,000 megawatts (MWs), while off-grid solar capacity has increased to 12,000 MWs in Pakistan by the end of 2025.

Hoymiles has formed strategic partnerships with Superstar, a renowned name in Pakistan’s automotive industry, and Harisun Energy, a new entrant in the energy solutions sector, to explore the Pakistani market, which is witnessing rapid growth in solar power adoption. In this regard, launch events were held simultaneously in Karachi and Lahore, unveiling multiple storage solutions produced by Hoymiles under the brands of Harisun Energy and Superstar.

Speaking as the chief guest at the Hoymiles launching ceremony in Karachi, Ali Rashid, advisor to Sindh chief minister on science and information technology (IT), said the provincial government appreciates foreign investors, particularly Chinese companies, establishing their industries, assembly, and distribution units in Karachi to meet the demand of the local market as well as export solutions to other countries.

“The government is working rigorously to facilitate foreign investors and companies to enhance their business and commercial activities, mainly in the technology and renewable energy sectors, to improve the living standards of the public and boost economic activity within the country and the province of Sindh,” he said.

The Sindh government is currently collaborating with various Chinese companies across different sectors, including logistics and renewable energy, and it welcomes further cooperation between the private and public sectors, according to Rashid.

The provincial government is considering establishing its own regulatory authority and transmission company, aimed at setting up a separate electricity grid system at the provincial level, which could provide affordable electricity to the masses and enhance connectivity to remote areas, preferably through renewable energy resources.

According to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), Pakistan has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing solar markets, importing approximately 50 GW of solar panels amid falling prices and widespread adoption across sectors in the first half of the year. This surge has made Pakistan the third-largest market for Chinese solar panels, a growth that has attracted global attention.

Superstar Solar Energy and Harisun Energy are introducing Hoymiles’ innovative range of solar inverters, energy storage solutions, and smart energy management systems to the Pakistani market. These solutions are designed to deliver reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy, empowering individuals and businesses to harness solar power as a clean and green energy source.

“Pakistan’s growing solar sector is facing a major challenge related to long-hour backup and energy storage solutions, which will soon be addressed with the entry of a global leader in energy solutions,” said Haris Jamsheed, CEO of Harisun Energy.

“Our partnership with the Chinese company will provide innovative energy storage solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial solar systems, enabling uninterrupted electricity supply at workplaces, factories, and homes during nighttime hours.”

Solarization has continued to expand across the country on a large scale due to prolonged load-shedding in remote areas and the high cost of electricity, which has become unaffordable for many households and industrial units, particularly in recent years.

“We have vowed to bring an energy revolution to Pakistan through innovative storage solutions, as the industrial and commercial sectors can enhance productivity with low-cost electricity backup systems,” said Saleem Umar, Chairman of Superstar.

“Affordable electricity will reduce operational costs at the domestic level, enabling exporters to compete more effectively in global markets.”