Gwadar: at the centre of success?

Pakistan’s port city of Gwadar sits at the centre of CPEC — the multi-billion-dollar project which is hailed as Asia’s Marshall Plan and is expected to transform Pakistan’s economy. While the entire country is bound to reap benefits from this massive investment, Gwadar particularly has prosperous days ahead. This small town by the sea will soon be a significant player in the world of sea trade, connecting economic powers more quickly and in less expensive way. The city economy, which has largely been based on fishing, will undergo major transformation and will diversify to move from being a small fishing village to an important port city. The Gwadar Port is just one part of the story which is located near key oil shipping lanes from the Persian Gulf. The port also provides closest access to sea to Central Asian Republics as well as Afghanistan. Also, the arrival of foreign investors in Gwadar means the arrival of new technology and expertise. This will not only make Gwadar an advanced city but also an urban leader in the country with infrastructure on a par with international standards. Also, road constructions within Gwadar are connecting the once isolated city to the rest of country, making its access to other parts of Pakistan easier than ever imagined. This, as a result, will increase opportunities for the people of Gwadar manifold.

Despite all of these benefits, there is no denying that there are serious concerns that grip the residents of this beautiful town. Lack of civic amenities such as drinking water, electricity and hospitals as well as loss of traditional livelihoods are worrisome by-products of the ongoing ‘economic revolution’ and no stone must be left unturned to address these issues to the satisfaction of the people of Gwadar. Because, in the end, no development is worth having if it hurts the very people it is done for.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 11^th, 2017.

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