Capacity of Gwadar port to be expanded by Pakistan
By Shoaib Jabbar 'Pakistan Times' Special Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: The cargo handling capacity of Gwadar deep sea port would be expanded upto 300 million tonnes from current 50 million tonnes within the next two decades.

The Gwadar deep sea port has been completed with the cost of more than Rs 16 billion with the assistance of China in record three years’ time.

Gwadar is situated at a location where 40 percent oil ships are passing. Gwadar a new economic hub of Pakistan is located at the entrance of Persian Gulf.It has immense geo economic significance. Instability in Middle East and emergence of new central Asian states has intensified its significance.

With the functioning of Gwadar port, Pakistan will become a key player in the Gulf region and serve as an energy corridor for Central Asia, South Asia and Western Part of China.

Set to be enlisted among one of the best ports of the world the deep seaport is going to change the entire economic scenario of Balochistan and transform it into hub of trade activities.

Meanwhile government has focused on strengthening infrastructure of Balochistan as 35 percent budget of NHA was being spent on building a network of roads and highways in the province which will open up more income generation and employment opportunities in the province.

An amount of Rs 40 billion were being spent on the development of road networks across Balochistan aimed at connecting Gwadar port with the entire region.

Gwadar would be connected with Afghanistan through Sarab-Quetta and Chaman. Another link aimed at connecting Peshawar with Gwadar via Khuzdar-Ratodero and Dera Ismail Khan would be developed.

Also the Gwadar Industrial Estate is situated around 40 km from the main city and spread over 1000 acres.It could be extended upto 3,000 acres to accommodate more and more investors as several industrialists have shown their willingness to establish pharmaceutical units, refineries and textile there.

Around 12,500 small and mediocre industrial units would be established on 1,000 acre of land in the Gwadar Industrial Estate in the first phase.As many as 563 residential buildings would also be constructed there.

Likewise numerous commercial buildings like offices, business centres were also being constructed in Gwadar Industrial Estate.

The management control of Gwadar Port has been handed over to the Port of Singapore. Port of Singapore is enjoying vast experience of running 20 Ports in 14 countries across the globe.●