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Shahdadkot Inland Container Terminal (SICT Pvt. Ltd.)


Shahdadkot Inland Container Terminal (SICT Pvt. Ltd.)

A Visionary Hub for Logistics, Trade, and Regional Connectivity under CPEC

📍 Located on the Gwadar–Rato Dero M-8 Motorway, Shahdadkot – the critical gateway to Balochistan and Gwadar Port.

Shahdadkot Inland Container Terminal (SICT Pvt. Ltd.) is a visionary project by Mega Movers Pakistan, strategically positioned to transform the logistics landscape of Pakistan and redefine inland trade connectivity with China, Central Asia, and the Middle East.

Situated at the convergence of Sindh and Balochistan, SICT is poised to serve as a gateway between inland Pakistan and Gwadar Port, aligning directly with the ambitious China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the global Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

🎯 Vision

To become Pakistan’s most vital inland container terminal and a logistics nucleus for cross-border commerce, empowering economic transformation and regional trade corridors.

🧭 Mission

To build a next-generation logistics facility that connects trade routes, reduces transit times, and supports Pakistan's rise as a regional trade and transit powerhouse under CPEC and OBOR.

👤 Leadership

Chairman – Nawabzada Zaheer Barakzai

  • 20+ years of experience in logistics, terminals, and supply chain

  • Master’s in International Marketing – University of Surrey, UK

  • Tribal Chief of the Barakzai tribe, prominent landowner, and CPEC advocate

CEO – Afaq Ahmed Khan

  • CEO of Mega Movers Pakistan, with over 30 years in logistics

  • Known for project execution, operational efficiency, and regional insight

📍 Strategic Location

SICT is located in Shahdadkot, just off the M-8 Rato Dero–Gwadar Motorway, making it a natural logistics hub for:

  • Goods moving to/from Gwadar Port

  • Connecting Sindh, Punjab, and KP to Balochistan

  • Cross-border trade from Western China, Afghanistan, and CARs

🚚 Distance Advantage:

  • Traditional route (China to Arabian Sea): 14,430 km

  • SICT via CPEC route: 2,700 km
    👉 This reduces trade distance by over 80%, saving time, fuel, and freight costs.

🏗️ Infrastructure & Facilities Planning

Though currently under development, SICT is being master-planned with high-capacity infrastructure, including:

  • Total Land Area: 242,811 sqm

  • Truck & Container Terminals: 97,125 sqm

  • Planned Warehousing: 24,281 sqm (50% covered, 50% open)

  • Fleet Deployment Goal: 500 HINO 40-ft trailers

  • Workshop & Maintenance Hub: On-site support and repair center

  • Heavy Equipment Blueprint: Cranes (30–50 tons), Kalmar stackers, forklifts, handlers

🔄 The project is modular—scalable to double capacity by 2030 based on CPEC traffic demand.

🌐 CPEC & Trade Corridor Integration

📊 CPEC Quick Stats:

  • Total investment: USD 62 billion

  • Projected cargo: 1.56 million TEUs/year (≈ 4,273 containers/day)

  • Job creation by 2030: 2.3 million

  • GDP growth impact: +2% annually

🚛 SICT’s Role in CPEC:

  • Acts as a secure inland checkpoint for Gwadar-bound cargo

  • Functions as a customs clearance zone to ease port congestion

  • Enables multi-modal linkage between road and sea routes

  • Supports SEZ logistics and national cargo distribution

🌍 Why SICT Matters: Regional & Global Relevance

1. Gateway to Western China & Central Asia

  • Connects Xinjiang (China) to the Arabian Sea

  • Bypasses congested and risky South China Sea maritime routes

2. Reducing Trade Costs

  • Freight cost from Karachi to Xinjiang ≈ $4,000/TEU

  • SICT via Gwadar could lower this by 30–40%

3. Energy & Raw Materials Link

  • Facilitates oil, gas, and mineral imports/exports

  • Future-ready for pipeline and fiber optic connectivity

💹 Investment Potential & Economic Impact

  • First-mover advantage: The earliest inland container terminal planned on the Gwadar–M8 corridor

  • Industrial spillover: Expected to attract textile, agriculture, warehousing, and logistics sectors

  • Revenue generation: Estimated to support $2–3 billion in cargo trade annually by 2028

  • Technology zone ready: Includes smart surveillance, IoT-powered tracking, and digital customs systems

🏁 Final Thought

The world is shifting trade routes—and Pakistan is the bridge.
SICT isn’t just a terminal — it’s the future intersection of economies, ideas, and opportunity.
🚢 Watch this space.

Written by : Hanif Mandviwala

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