Pakistan

Special marine battalion to protect Gwadar Port, Chinese engineers

Pakistan Navy increases all-round surveillance at Gwadar Port with commencement of CPEC project

News Desk January 05, 2016

PHOTO: RADIO PAKISTAN

Pakistan Navy has increased all-round surveillance at Gwadar Port with the commencement of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project, Radio Pakistan reported on Tuesday.

"A special Marine Battalion has been raised for security of Gwadar, Chinese engineers and delegates visiting the port," a Pakistan Navy said.

CPEC- a window of opportunity for Pakistan

"Gwadar, the main destination of the CPEC, will be linked with China's western region through a rail and road network," the spokesperson added. He further asserted that Gwadar Port is the 'backbone' of CPEC and the Pakistan Navy making strenuous efforts for ensuring comprehensive security for foreigners as well as locals.

The CPEC has been termed a window of opportunity for the country to boost its economy and is set to become an economic hub connecting the Middle East with Central Asia.

$46-billion CPEC: Govt attempts to clear transparency concerns

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif last month inaugurated the western corridor of the multibillion-dollar CPEC as he broke ground on upgradation of two vital arteries, Zhob-Mughal Kot (N-50) and Qila Saifullah-Wagum (N-70).

The CPEC is a 3,000-kilometer network of roads, railways and pipelines to transport oil and gas from Gwadar Port to Kashgar city, northwestern China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Proposed by Chinese prime minister during his visit to Pakistan in May 2013, the CPEC will act as a bridge for the new Maritime Silk Route that envisages linking three billion people in Asia, Africa and Europe. An official agreement on the corridor was signed between the two countries in May this year during Chinese President Xi Jinping's historic visit to Pakistan.

COMMENTS (20)

NHA | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistani friends, it is an occasion for rejoicing and thanking Allah for providing such an opportunity. EPEC Plus Gawadar Port Plus Gawadar as Economic Zone will provide an imputus to Balochistan and our Western belt which will transform it. Just Guard against poor press, disinformation, and manipulation by Indians. Iran will not ba threat , it knows where its interests lie. It has already desired to build a train link with Gawadar.

Usman | 8 years ago | Reply @salman: Gwadar is deepest port in the world. It is then most cheapest port in world. Next its in neighbors to the oil production centres. Next again Karachi port is one of the most expensive port in the region so it won't serve the purpose.

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MUHAMMAD FURQAN IJAZ | 8 years ago | Reply Pak needs Chinese assistance to oust Indian and US hegemony. Good Pak-China Friendship.

NHA | 8 years ago | Reply @Raj - USA: The dye has been cast. CPEC is reality now so is Chinese presence in Arabian Sea for commerce & trade. Times have changed . India for too long exhibited its meanness. Bullying around weaker nations, blackmailing their governments- the latest is sending muslims to gallows in B'desh. Their blood is on Indian hands. Pakistan knows where its interests lie & will take care of it including its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Indian Naval ambitions are a threat to the region . If you want to discuss , let me know.

mo | 8 years ago | Reply @ajeet: OH really and India has?? interesting!!

sohail | 8 years ago | Reply Dear All I think all of those who are against the idea of China-Gwadar are either ignorant or totally biased. they are apposing this idea, the way many other developments have been denied by feudals and land lord of Balochistan. If we would not have been able to get chinese in Gawadar they can use Indian ports for the same purpose , probably then all those apposing it here would have opposed that Govt and Establisment has deliberatley turned away the development chance of Baluchistan. Taking about Gas of Sui, its not the matter of providing Gas to locals,, non of the local will pay the gas bills as they dont pay for electiricty in all rural areas of Baluchistan. Sui is not Different than Sangarh or Khairpur of Sindh where 30 % of total consumed natural gas of Pakistan is produced yet the locals have no gas coneections. Even if the gas has to be provided to the local locations its the rulers, CM Governer, MPAs MNAs and ministers of Baluchistan to be bliamed for that not the Punjab or Establishment. Come out of Shallow thoughts and biased views and grow your exposure.

ajeet | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistani forces couldn't protect their airport, air and naval bases, hence china should be careful than sorry here,and invest in the Indian port in Iran.

MO | 8 years ago | Reply Here is one for all of you!! if you are so unhappy with Pakistan go move some where else. We are a developing Nation we will take time to straighten out. We are not USA Britain or any other European country. I dont agree with all the policies, but i believe in this country as a unit. it is a country that has given me my identity. Before i criticize the country i need to ask myself what have i done for this country for my right to complain and cry. To all of my Indian friends instead of you guys wasting your time criticizing pakistan and its policies and trying to cry for the balochi's how about you worry about your own minorities. You guys have conspired enough now we will rise InshAllah. Sindh Balochistan Punjab KPK Gilgit bultistan azad kashmir we will all rise together or fail together.

NHA | 8 years ago | Reply @salman: Wake up, man. It 100 year development. It has upset whole theories of geo-strategy & whole work of nations for decades, It is less economic, more strategic. India & US will go to any length to fail it. No wonder Gen Raheel has taken charge of it.

globalobserver | 8 years ago | Reply @Kamran Ahmad Kami: "Gwadar – Future of Pakistan" If so, Pakistan's future is in the no-man's land, for, Gwadar is a port in a no-man's land going nowhere. Seriously, let's admit all this Gwadar trade linkage smokes screen is to hide real purpose of the port. That is to base Chinese navy and its submarines there.

Abdullah khan | 8 years ago | Reply @salman Either you are ignorant or you didn't spent your past in Pakistan, the suigas was called because it's deposit is in Sui dera Bugti baluchistan but even queta was given this gas in 21 century and it was discovered in 1954 ,still there is no gas in 95%of baluchistan population are still without gas, is it justice? The baluchistan and KPk people were not given the right to use their own resources all were diverted to punjab and sindh, tell what you wrote above to the masters of Pakistan and also tell them baluchistan is useless part of Pakistan ,separate it from from Pakistan

buba | 8 years ago | Reply @salman:

Why Gwader is so important for Pakistan when we can provide the same access to China from Karachi or Bin Qasim port

Gwadar has been a real estate scam for two decades - the scam just increased in scope. It's often easier to sell a big lie than a small one.

curious2 | 8 years ago | Reply The CPEC is a 3,000-kilometer network of roads, railways and pipelines to transport oil and gas from Gwadar Port to Kashgar city, northwestern China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. . Really? None of that generates electricity/power or has an obvious impact on Pakistan economy/job creation - some would argue that $46 Billion may not be sufficient to fund roads, railways, and pipelines over the mountains to China. CPEC remains a mystery - touted as the savior of Pakistan but nobody seems to be able write an article explaining exactly why.

Pakistan | 8 years ago | Reply I just want to know whether Gawadar is still a Pakistani territory or sold out to Chinese? Remember it was President Ayub Khan who bought it from Oman.

Pankaj | 8 years ago | Reply Is there any concept of para-military in Pakistan or everything is managed by Army except fight at border?

k k khan | 8 years ago | Reply Indians need to be curbed though... we need to make the defense even more stronger as security and economy are inexplicably tied and more so in Pakistan's case.

Raj - USA | 8 years ago | Reply Looks like China is bringing its submarines and fleets to Gwadar. Pakistan's marine batalion will provide security for China's fleet for some time and then China's navy will take it over from Pakistan's marines so as not to make it too obvious. As for why China cannot use Karachi, there are few reasons: (1) Karachi is a commercial port and Pakistan needs this for its own commercial use also. So, Pakistan cannot hand it over fully to China. (2) China wants naval port for its exclusive use and even Pakistan's navy will not be allowed to enter the port. Also, Pakistan's army will not be allowed near the region. It is not possible with Karachi port. (3) Importantly, Mohajirs will not give away Karachi port to China. (4) Baluchistan is an orphan that has always been used and exploited by Punjab and other provinces so handing over Gwadar to China does not make others feel that some part of their territory is given away to China. There is no sentimental attachment to Baluch population or Baluchistan. In fact Punjab and other provinces feel happy to give away anything that belongs to Baluchistan to China and benefit from it. Pakistan's army establishment also has the same feelings for Baluch and Baluchistan. In a way, it is an expression of hate by Punjab and Military establishment of Pakistan for Baluch and Baluchistan. (5) Mohajirs have attachment to Karachi and will never allow China to control Karachi. Karachi is already developed and if CPEC is purely for commercial purpose and road connectivity, Karachi would have been ideal. It would take much less time and also much less investments. However, naval activities cannot be kept hidden in Karachi whereas in the case of Gwadar, China could maintain lot more secrecy.

Kamran Ahmad Kami | 8 years ago | Reply Gwadar - Future of Pakistan

salman | 8 years ago | Reply @Hameed: Why Gwader is so important for Pakistan when we can provide the same access to China from Karachi or Bin Qasim port. If the Balochis do not want their province to get flourished than we should let them stay as the way it is. Let them remain backward like the way they always have been since ages.

Hameed | 8 years ago | Reply Protect from whom? From locals? Most of them have been killed anyway to squander their land and resources..

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