Alvi urges completion of projects in Gwadar

President receives briefings on progress in work on deep seaport, free-zone area

ISLAMABAD:

President Dr Arif Alvi has underlined the need for utilising Gwadar Port Free-Zone area for transit trade with Afghanistan and stressed the need for ensuring speedy flow of the traffic at the deep seaport.

The president urged the authorities concerned to accelerate development activities and remove any hindrances in this regard through consensus-building and consultation with the relevant stakeholders.

Alvi received briefings about the progress in work on the Gawadar city Master Plan and operationalisation of the port on Wednesday. He was also briefed on the 60-acre free zone area at Gwadar which will include recreational facilities, hospitals, schools and multiple industries.

In their briefings, Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) Chairman Naseer Khan Kashani and Director General Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) Shahzaib Khan Kakar highlighted the development works at Gwadar Port and the Gwadar city.

The president underscored the importance of “strategy and vision” for the successful completion of national projects. He regretted a slow pace of development in Gwadar in the past and urged timely completion of all infrastructure and industry related projects as per the given timelines.

The president was also briefed about the 19 kilometres Eastbay Expressway, which will connect he port with the Coastal Highway and help carry cargo without disturbing the local population, said a statement issued here.

Alvi urged the GDA and the GPA to expedite the work on the port as well as the city of Gwadar. He advised both the organisations to consider the needs of local fishermen in the Master Plan. He also thanked the Chinese government for constructing China Business Center (CBC) in Gwadar.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2021.