Hub Power Company Limited (HUBC), the largest independent power producer in Pakistan, is looking to set up an aluminium smelter in Karachi. This move could help absorb the country’s surplus electricity while adding industrial value. In a recent meeting, CEO Kamran Kamal and CFO Muhammad Saqib confirmed that leadership has outlined plans ranging from potential aluminium production to a national electric vehicle (EV) network in partnership with Chinese automaker BYD.
The aluminium smelter will be located on HUBC’s 1,100-acre industrial site near the coast, leveraging sea and land logistics. Alumina, the primary input, will be imported via port infrastructure, but local bauxite reserves, 200 million tonnes across Khushab, Ziarat, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K), and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), offer the long-term prospect of vertical integration. This could significantly reduce Pakistan’s reliance on imported aluminium.
Single Point Mooring (SPM): Strengthening the petroleum supply chain
Another major move is the planned SPM on the Hub coast to handle POL (petroleum, oil, lubricants) imports for Pakistan State Oil (PSO). The design incorporates existing storage infrastructure and a connection via the Asia Petroleum Pipeline (49 per cent PSO-owned) to Zulfiqarabad, with onwards flow through the White Oil Pipeline.
This project aims to streamline fuel import logistics, potentially reducing import bottlenecks and enhancing Pakistan’s fuel security. HUBC is considering a joint venture (JV) structure for the SPM, aligning commercial and strategic interests.
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Electric vehicle push: Localising BYD with nationwide charging network
HUBC is also intensifying its entry into the EV space. With BYD’s Atto 3 SUV already finding traction, local assembly is slated to start by H2 2026. Management indicated they are already the largest EV company in Pakistan.
On top of launching Pakistan’s first EV charging corridor from Karachi to Peshawar, HUBC has also attracted two international financing partners for this project, demonstrating the strength of investor confidence.
From coal-based power generation to clean mobility and now into metals and logistics, HUBC is meaningfully diversifying to convert surplus capacity into industrial opportunities while strengthening national infrastructure.
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