Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said the speed of development at Gwadar would increase with every single project coming on the ground under the Pakistan-China Economic Corridor. PHOTO: PID
He said the speed of development at Gwadar would increase with every single project coming on the ground under the Pakistan-China Economic Corridor.
Speaking on the potentials and prospects of Gwadar, he appreciated the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) for focusing on such an important theme and highlighting the strength of Gwadar for becoming a model port city in future.
“The corridor is spread over entire Pakistan from south to north having several projects on energy, infrastructure, health, education and clean drinking water,” he said. “It will be developed due to its own unique geographical location and will complement other ports within and outside Pakistan through existing regional infrastructure.”
He explained the two phases of infrastructural development under the economic corridor. The first phase, he said, will link the existing motorway from Lahore to Peshawar with the motorway from Lahore to Karachi through a series of motorways.
“The second phase of the corridor, envisaging road connectivity between Gwadar, Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, will also be started as the pace of development and traffic increases,” he added.
“Karakorum Highway (KKH) is being extended to Hawelian with Chinese assistance and will be completed within three years linking Ratodero with Gwadar. This will be the shortest road connectivity of Gwadar with the rest of Pakistan and attract substantial investment,” he said.
The minister announced that within the next three years transformational change in Gwadar will be phenomenal with respect to integrated infrastructure and investment opportunities.
The cluster of projects under the economic corridor will make Gwadar a commercial and tourist resort connecting three billion people of South Asia, China and Central Asia.
He said during 35 years of military rule in Pakistan desired allocations in the social sector were overlooked. “Vision 2025 is one of the initiatives of our socio-economic agenda, which will address the issues of poverty, malnutrition, provision of safe drinking water and gender inequalities.”
“No one can negate the importance of Gwadar,” said Federal Minister of Saffron Abdul Qadir Baloch.
However, he said it could be beneficial only when concerns of the Baloch people were addressed and road infrastructure in the province was improved.
“We should also prioritise to address the difficulties of Baloch people. With the development of Gwadar, this area will be transformed into a free zone and special economic zone, and for this fool-proof security arrangements are important,” said Baloch.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 30th, 2015.
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COMMENTS (8)
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@Sandip
Oh Really!
You guys have wanted it for the last 68 years and we have been foiling your attempts since then. if it was upto Hindustan, Pakistan would have been vanished till now.
Alas! you poor champs will not do anything to eradicate hunger from your country, instead waste your energies in interfering into neighbour's affairs.
Hindustan is just a house of mud with Mat Enamel paint over it...just wait for the rain...Dost!
@Ammar: If we really wanted to have dinner in Lahore, we would have had it. Just like when we wanted to celebrate Baisakhi in an independent Bangladesh we did it. So don't fool yourself and your countrymen. You are only as good as you are allowed to be.
@Sandip
even in this modern age the guys like you have not failed to express the filthy thoughts of your nation. .. Pakistan is not Bangladesh, nepal, bhutan or Srilanka where Indians can interfere. ..
U might have forgotten the lesson we gave you in 1965...to crush your dreams to have dinner in Lahore...
Pakistan is the power that can't be undone...its better you understand the reality as soon as possible. ..
Whether the port uses smart technology shouldn't be the prime issue which is whether there has ever been sufficient demand for it's services to make it a legitimate business enterprise. . Much has been made about China's need for this port as it's new oil pipeline - as well as China's desire to create a new Silk Road. But does that really make any sense? This port has sat unused for years with a "for sale" sign on it and China has never once bothered to make a bid .. Pakistan eventually gave it to China for next to nothing. Pretty clear sign that China doesn't view the Port as essential. . If China needs this port for oil .. then why no action on building pipeline, storage facilities and distribution network - either in China or Pakistan? Talk of a new Silk Road has never made much sense since most of China's production facilities are already located near ports/distribution facilities and spending Billions just to increase distribution cost doesn't make much business sense. . Like many of Pakistan Mega projects .. seems like more effort is spent by govt promoting the projects rather than analyzing whether they make any sense.
Gwadar is like Pak Steel or PIA....everyone makes money form it but nothing improves.
@Sandip: Please note that all Indian developments in occupied Kashmir are illegally built. Pakistan reserves the right to take over all Indian developments in the near future. Furthermore, the many requests from poor Indian masses (muslims & non-muslims alike) to liberate further lands from India is being strongly considered and action will be taken shortly.
@Sandip. Are you in your senses, you guys are living in fools paradise, please do try.
Please note that KKH has been built on Indian land. As such, India will reserve the right to take it over as and when it deems fit.