Gwadar Breakwater Project delay irks PM
In Balochistan, the property valuation rates for Quetta and Gwadar have been increased while Lasbela is being added to the list. PHOTO: FILE
Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif Wednesday ordered an inquiry into delay in Gwadar Breakwater Project and said that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government ignored it despite availability of sufficient grants and loans.
On his Twitter handle, the prime minister said that a $445m grant, $484m soft loan and feasibility were available, but it baffled mind how the previous government ignored the project.
From energy to infrastructure, every project suffered costly delays under PTI, he added.
“In a meeting today, I ordered inquiry into criminal delay in Gwadar Breakwater Project. It baffles mind how PTI govt ignored it despite availability of $445m grant, $484m soft loan & feasibility. From energy to infrastructure, every project under PTI suffered costly delays,” the tweet reads.
In a related tweet, he stressed that time for presentations was over as it was time for action.
The meeting was held in Islamabad to review the Gwadar project and attended by chief secretary Balochistan and other officials. The prime minister said Gwadar was not just about infrastructure development; being part of CPEC, it had political, economic and strategic value.
He further resolved that turning Balochistan’s backwardness into prosperity was his mission and their collective responsibility.
The prime minister said that Gwadar has a strategic importance for defence as well as trade and it could handle the influx of trade goods to Northern Areas and upper districts.
“A railway network from the coast of Gwardar to upper parts of the country is a must. It is time we compensate for our criminal negligence of the past,” he said.
He ordered chief secretary Balochistan and secretary planning to come up with a feasible plan for Chinese investment in food, agriculture and petrochemicals sectors.
Chairman National Highways briefed the CM about the connectivity of Gawadar to different parts of the country. The PM also ordered NHA and planning division as well as ministry of maritime to submit a report about ensuring the transportation of trade goods to Northern Areas through CPEC route.
The PM was informed that the breakwater project was to be constructed under a concession agreement under which a grant of $445 million and a Chinese loan of $484 was available but the project was delayed mysteriously.
PM ordered submitting the report within one week about those responsible for the delay.
The PM was informed that a water plant with a total capacity of 1.2 million gallons of potable water will soon reach Pakistan and it would start production till the end of this year.
CS Balochistan informed the PM about the solarisation of Gwadar. He said that 4,500 houses in the city were off-grid for which a mini solar park was being established.
PM ordered the CS Balochistan to carry out a mapping of all the development work in the province so that these projects could be provided with security.
He also ordered a comprehensive security plan with close coordination of law enforcement agencies and interior ministry.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 7th, 2022.