Gwadar is an ambitious venture and future of the Pakistan’s economy with geographical location important than Dubai and Singapore. Addressing a seminar, Ahsan Iqbal, theminister of planning, development and reform,says that the speed of development of the Gwadar Port will be increased to make it a model port. According to him, several projects have been envisaged along the Pakistan-China Economic Corridor, including energy, infrastructure, health, education and potable water. Besides the economic corridor, the port will be linked with various countries through the national and regional infrastructure. A network of motorways will be established from Peshawar to Karachi while the port will be connected to other parts of Balochistan as well as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. On another note, Karakorum Highway will be linked with Hawelianto make a shortcut to Gwadar through Ratodero. The integrated infrastructure will definitely bring a phenomenal change in Gwadar within three years to convert the port as a commercial and tourist resort.It will connectaround three billion people of South Asia, China and Central Asian region together.
Meanwhile, a Chinesecompany will present a draft of proposals to the Pakistani government for Gwadar Port to complete the process of determining preferential policies by the end of March. There is a need to complete documentation in accordance with the national and international laws to launch the project. The Gwadar Port Authority has already recommended the government to lease the port for 43 years and all the modalities will be completed by February 2015. The lease agreement will be signed in accordance with the countries laws and discussions are underway to start infrastructural projects such to build an international airport, power station and water supply plantin Gwadar by 2017.
When former President Asif Ali Zardari signed the economic corridor deal with China during his tenure, it seemed the goods are ahead, but five years later, no progress has been made in the matter. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has recently signed $43 billion agreements with the Chinese government but nothing is visible in real sense. India and other countries in the region have embarked upon the roads of progress and there is no reason we should be kept waiting for a fortune to knock our door. It is the time for the national leadership to take decision –right or wrong – without wasting time. It is unfortunate that millions of dollars have been spent on tours and conferences without any positive result. If Gwadar is the future of the Pakistani economy, it should be developed as fast as it is possible.
