Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered immediate steps to operate the Gwadar port on a commercial basis, Radio Pakistan reported.
Chairman of a federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday, the Prime Minister formed a committee, led by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who is tasked with working with stakeholders to ensure the port’s development to a fully functional and modern hub.
“The Gwadar port has the potential to transform into a key player in the regional economy, and we must speed up its operationalization,” said Prime Minister Shehbaz, who also called for an international conference to raise awareness of the strategic significance of the port.
He emphasized the importance of developing a comprehensive marketing strategy and strengthening diplomatic efforts to highlight the potential of the port.
The meeting was informed of Gwadar Port’s capacity to accommodate ships up to 50,000 deadweight tonnes, giving vital access to the Persian Gulf and served as a transmitter for the Gulf countries.
In addition, the port is expected to play a key role in the development of Balochistan’s mining and aquaculture sectors and will facilitate trade in China and Central Asia.
The meeting also discussed the tax exemptions awarded to Gwadar Free Zone for the purpose of encouraging investment. Free Zone’s rules have also been established to attract more investors.
PM Shehbaz was informed that criminal negligence in excavation operations between 2018 and 2022 had affected the depth of the port.
However, muddy work has completed in 2022-2023 restored the capacity of the port. All supply services are now available in the port, and several public welfare projects, including Pak-China Friendship Hospital and the Gwadar Institute of Technical Education, have been initiated.
The government is also working to improve the connection. A railway link to Pakistan Railways’ main line M-4 is developing, and Gwadar-Quetta Highway, completed in 2018, has had several key areas in Balochistan.
The construction of Gwadar Eastbay Expressway progresses, with further plans for a path from Nokundi to Mashkhel and Mashkhel to Panjgur.
Iqbal suggested modernizing the shipping inspection facilities in the port using artificial intelligence to improve efficiency. PM repeated the government’s obligation to make Gwadar Port a hub for trade and regional development.
