Gwadar master plan okayed, says CM Balochistan

Kamal asserts final map was approved by city’s stakeholders

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal has said the provincial government had finally approved the much-delayed Gwadar master plan, which would provide relief to its residents.

“The final map of the Gwadar master plan has been issued. It wasn’t approved in Islamabad or Quetta, but in Gwadar during the governing body meeting,” the chief minister, who is also the chairman of Gwadar Development Authority’s governing body, wrote in a tweet.

Kamal said the plan would ensure the provision of a quality lifestyle for the population of Gwadar.

Prime Minister Imran Khan was recently informed during a meeting the Gwadar Development Authority had approved the Gwadar master plan with some minor modifications.

Last month, Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) MPA Mir Hamal Kalmati had claimed that the authorities concerned were trying to roll out the Gwadar master plan without consulting MNAs, MPAs and other stakeholders, including representatives of other political parties.

“Public representatives and key stakeholders remain completely ignored by the details of the master plan. Even MPAs from Gwadar have not been taken into confidence on the issue,” he added.

“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 warned.

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

Kalmati also opposed the establishment of a new institution, the National Coastal Development Authority (NCDA) for Gwadar, terming its interference in the provincial affairs.

“By establishing the NCDA, the federal government was trying to bring Gwadar under federal control, which is not acceptable to the people of Gwadar and their representatives,” he said.

“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.”

Kalmati said there were reports 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.

Earlier this year, Gwadar Port Authority Chairman Naseer Khan Kashani had said the Gwadar Smart Port City master plan would transform the port city into a hub of industrialisation, commercial activity and international marine trade.

He said new maps and guidelines for the development of the smart port city had been divided into three timelines- 2025, 2035 and 2050, with the key focus of the master plan over the next five years being to make available the basic civic necessities of a modern city en route to transforming Gwadar into a prosperous city.

Kashani further said it was likely that Gwadar would soon be linked with the national grid as the required modalities had been discussed and finalised to ensure the uninterrupted supply of electricity besides initiating a coal-based 300-megawatt power project.

“Road networks, water and sewage lines and security cameras to improve command and control systems have been prioritized,” he added.

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