Pakistan's first Marble City being set up in Karachi: Sharjeel

Karachi is set to become Pakistan's inaugural Marble City, according to Sindh Minister for Information, Transport, and Mass Transit, Sharjeel Inam Memon. The initiative aims to harness the region's marble and granite reserves, fostering investment, industrial growth, and job creation. During the pre-launch ceremony at a local hotel, Memon unveiled plans for the Karachi Marble City Industrial Park, which will enable the processing of marble and granite reserves found across Sindh and other parts of the country using advanced techniques.

The objective is to manufacture high-quality products for global markets, thereby generating revenue for the national economy. Once officially inaugurated by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, the project will promote the local processing of stone and granite for export, rather than exporting raw materials.

The average price of land in Marble City is set at approximately Rs25 million per acre, with payment options available for investors unable to pay in full. Despite the country's abundant reserves of marble and granite, these resources have not been fully exploited, and agriculture remains a vital sector in Pakistan's economy. Sindh Government encourages other provinces, especially Punjab, to emulate successful projects, and welcomes recommendations for effective policies.

The Marble City project, spanning over 300 acres along the Northern Bypass, has an estimated cost of $250 million and is being developed through a public-private partnership. Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Investment and Public-Private Partnership, Qasim Naveed Qamar, revealed that the initiative will provide electricity at a subsidized rate of Rs20 per unit for its projects, particularly in Dhabeji and Khairpur.

Additionally, efforts are underway to reduce industrial costs, provide machinery on rent, and offer modern equipment. Registration for investors and industrialists is underway, with registration set to commence next month, followed by additional facilities for successful participants.