Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has announced plans to develop Ziarat Hasan Shah Island into a modern centre for eco-tourism, sports tourism, and lifestyle retreats. The project aims to balance environmental protection with long-term economic benefits for coastal communities.
While chairing a meeting on Wednesday, the minister said the project has been declared a priority investment. The estimated cost of development ranges between Rs. 1 to Rs. 1.5 billion.
During the construction phase, the project is expected to create around 1,000 to 1,500 direct and indirect jobs. Once operations begin, it could provide 1,200 to 1,800 long-term employment opportunities.
The minister stated that the project would significantly improve local livelihoods and support sustainable coastal economic growth.
Ziarat Hasan Shah Island is located near Karachi’s Eastern Zone and stretches around four kilometres in length, with a width between 100 and 500 metres. Its sandy southeastern beach makes it suitable for hospitality, recreation, and leisure activities.
Chaudhry highlighted that the island’s natural beauty offers a strong opportunity to develop a high-value recreational destination that meets Pakistan’s growing demand for coastal tourism.
Unlike many offshore projects, the island can be accessed by land, allowing a direct road link to Karachi. This feature will reduce infrastructure costs and speed up development while supporting local businesses.
The project will be developed under a Build-Operate-Transfer or Public-Private Partnership model. The government plans to attract experienced private investors while protecting public interests.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s maritime sector and blue economy by using its long and largely underdeveloped coastline.