MPA accuses Centre of trying to take control of Gwadar

Kalmati says NCDA will interfere in provincial autonomy

QUETTA: Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-Mengal) Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Mir Hamal Kalmati has strongly opposed the establishment of a new institution in the name of the National Coastal Development Authority (NCDA) for Gwadar, terming it an interference in the provincial autonomy.

Addressing a press conference along with representatives of other political parties on Thursday, Kalamati said that by establishing NCDA, the federal government was trying to bring Gwadar under federal control, which was not acceptable to the people of Gwadar and their representatives.

“The Balochistan Coastal Development Authority (BCDA) already exists. Why is there a need to establish another such institution which will also then interfere in the affairs of Balochistan,” he inquired.

He said there were reports and allusions that the federal government wanted to bring Gwadar under its control. The former minister urged the provincial government to strongly oppose any such move and provide required funds to BCDA for the development of Gwadar and other coastal areas of Makran.

GPA chairman outlines ambitious plans for Gwadar

Referring to the proposed Gwadar Master Plan, the lawmaker said that the authorities concerned were trying to pull through the plan without consulting MNAs, MPAs and other stakeholders, including representatives of other political parties.

“Public representatives and key stakeholders remain completely ignore of the details of the master plan. Even MPAs from Gwadar have not been taken into confidence on the issue,” he said while suggesting that the approval of the plan should be postponed for at least one month.

Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan will preside over the meeting in which the Gwadar Master Plan will be presented on August 23 in Gwadar.

MNA Muhammad Aslam Bhootani and MPA Hamal Kalmati, who are from Gwadar, will attend the meeting as they are members of the body that would approve the plan.

Bhootani has also taken up the master plan issue in the National Assembly session. He had announced to resist any attempt to get the plan approved without consultation of the public representatives and people of Gwadar.

“There will be massive protests if the Gwadar Master Plan is approved without taking input from public representatives and other key stakeholders. The people of the port city will stand alongside us,” he said.

He said that Gwadar port was one of the biggest assets of Balochistan and its representatives would never compromise on the rights of their people.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23^rd, 2019.