Latest Development Updates On Gwadar
Updated: Aug 3, 2022
The government has decided to construct a breakwater at Jebel-e-Nuh for the expansion of Gwadar Port as reported by a news outlet. The estimated cost of the project will be PKR 42.19 billion and it will be completed in 10 years’ time period.
The construction of breakwater is a prerequisite for the expansion of the port to provide tranquil berthing conditions for the berths which will be developed on the eastern side of the port. The decision for the construction of breakwater was proposed by the experts after getting in accordance with Gwadar Port Master Plan (ADL 2007) and the China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC) concession agreement requirements for infrastructure development.
Currently, Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) is following a master plan for the development of the Gwadar Port as well as associated free zones. The COPHC is required to undertake the expansion of Gwadar Deep Water Port under the concession agreement. The breakwater will provide ample protection against strong waves as well as monsoonal tides and help in maintaining feasible conditions for berthing.
The expansion of the port in future by constructing berths will allow new generation ships to dock at the port and the breakwater will protect the area within Master Plan 2007. Overall, it will enable safe working conditions for the port, cargo handling, berthing, unberthing etc.
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Updated: Jun 24, 2022
After Islamabad, Gwadar is the second city in Pakistan that is being developed on a master plan in accordance with international standards. In a recent development, the port city has now established a new Central Business District (CBD) over an area of 2,500 acres under the master plan along with road networks stretching up to 280 kilometres.
The announcement of these developments was made by Director General Gwadar Development Authority Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Qambrani at the Gwadar National Conference. The director general also shed light on the 150-bed Pak-China Friendship Hospital which is under construction to provide the best healthcare facilities to the people residing in the port city.
Furthermore, he also pointed out that the city has been connected with two dams – Shadi Kaur and Sowd – through a pipeline for a continuous supply of water along with a sewerage water treatment plant to use sewage water for agriculture and irrigation.
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Updated: Jun 10, 2022
On a visit to Gwadar City, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif inaugurated the six-lane Eastbay Expressway. The expressway will connect Gwadar with Makran Coastal Highway and provide a link to Karachi, making it easier for travellers to travel between the two port cities. The Gwadar Eastbay Expressway is a component of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and is a primary route to be used by the port and Free Zone traffic to access the network of National Highways for smooth transportation.
In addition to this, the PM also broke ground for seven new projects in the city including Gwadar Seawater Desalination Plant, Hangeng Agricultural Industrial Park, Gwadar Expo Centre and Gwadar Fertilizer Plant.
The PM has also directed the officials in charge to complete the projects within the stipulated time in order for the country and the people of Gwadar to benefit from them.
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Update (Feb. 16, 2022): The Ministry of Climate Change in Pakistan collaborated with the Chinese official to introduce the Clean and Green Gwadar Project, which is currently underway. This initiative is envisioned to make the port city environmentally friendly by setting up greenbelts and establishing public parks.
Along with the enhancement of the city’s infrastructure and its natural environment, the Clean and Green initiative also focuses on transforming Gwadar into a ‘Zero Waste City’ with the establishment of state-of-the-art solid and liquid waste treatment plants in the next five years.
Various tree plantation drives have also been recently completed in different locations near major roads of the city, such as Marine Drive, Shaheed Capt. Road, Syed Hashmi Avenue (Old Airport) and Pakistan-China Friendship Road.
Update (Jan. 31, 2022): The latest developments in Gwadar have put it on the map. The port city is now the epicentre of many major projects being developed under the banner of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The city’s infrastructure is being rapidly upgraded. Projects like Marine Drive are evidently reshaping and modernising its urban landscape.
Not long ago, a beautiful cricket stadium was inaugurated in Gwadar, which could also be an ideal venue for international cricket matches. The International Cricket Council (ICC) called it a “picturesque sports venue” in its tweet — and it was surely a proud moment for the entire nation.
Well, there has been another major development in the city. The Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) has recently announced the completion of the fully-fledged restoration work on a football ground, which was in a dilapidated condition. It has successfully been transformed into a state-of-the-art sports facility.
The new Gwadar Football Stadium, also known as the Mir Ghous Bakhsh Bizenjo Football Stadium, will be inaugurated soon. The Chief Minister of Balochistan Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo will perform the inauguration of this newly restored football facility.
With the restoration of greenery as well as the installation of floodlights, the stadium now looks more scenic than ever before both during the daytime and at night. Other key upgrades to the stadium include separate seating arrangements for guests, a brand-new pavilion and washrooms for spectators, rooms for players and administrative units, underground water tanks, a walking track, and improved parking arrangements.
UPDATE (Feb 3, 2021): The federal and Balochistan governments signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to construct a shipyard facility in Gwadar, according to different news sources. Additional Secretary Defence Production Ghulam Jaffar and Secretary Industry Balochistan Hafiz Abdul Majid signed the agreement.
Federal Minister for Defence Production Zubaida Jalal, who was also present at the occasion, added that while ships will be built at the yard, it will also provide repairing facilities and training facilities in the region.
China’s long-term investment plans for Gwadar have turned the port city into a goldmine for foreign investors. The city’s strategic position further enhances its significance, turning it into a viable trade route. In fact, Gwadar is set to become an international trade hub as it’s attracting foreign investors from China, Afghanistan and the Central Asian countries. Apart from providing economic benefits in terms of trade and businesses, Gwadar will be developed into an international port city with proper roads, modern infrastructure, while retaining its status of a historic sports city. In this blog, we will discuss how the government of Pakistan plans to develop Gwadar port.
Significance of Gwadar Port
Gwadar is the next big destination in the real estate sector of Pakistan. However, for Pakistani investors, Gwadar is going to be a different experience than other major cities, such as Karachi or Lahore, mainly due to the involvement of foreign stakeholders in the port city. Gwadar is rapidly paving its way to becoming an international commercial hub, opening doors for trade between China and Central Asian countries.
Gwadar’s significance is further enhanced due to the numerous trade benefits that will be provided to investors and businessmen. For instance, a 23-year tax holiday has been granted to investors looking to establish their businesses in Gwadar. Meanwhile, builders and developers seem keen to establish housing societies in Gwadar. Singhar Housing Scheme, Canadian City Gwadar, Gwadar Golf City, Kings Park Gwadar and Naval Anchorage Gwadar are some of the most popular housing projects that have been planned in the city.
Let us now take a look at the Gwadar master plan and how it will serve as the foundation for the development of an international trading hub.
Gwadar Master Plan
The government of Balochistan unveiled the Gwadar Master Plan 2050 in October 2019. As per the master plan, no old neighbourhoods would be relocated to maintain the city’s old status. Furthermore, the historical sports avenues, originating from the Omani era—from 1783 to 1958—would be restored.
As per the new master plan present on Gwadar Development Authority’s (GDA) website, residential and commercial zones have been marked separately. Similarly, certain areas have been earmarked for entertainment, education, medical and sports facilities. In addition, special focus has been placed on converting Gwadar into a green city. To that end, a huge chunk of the city’s land has been dedicated to green spaces. As shown in the map below, the yellow highlighted area is a residential area, while the free trade zone area is marked near the sea.
Following are some of the major developments in Gwadar that are expected to be completed in the near future:
- Development of Gwadar smart city based on modern designs
- Restoring the Omani era sports venues
- New green belt to be established
- 6-km long sewerage line expected to complete shortly
- Budget allocated for the development of road infrastructure
- Construction of East-Bay Expressway that will ensure smooth traffic flow on the main artery of Gwadar port
- Modern monument at Mala Fazal Chowk to be constructed to attract tourists
- Construction of Gwadar International Airport
- Upgradation of China-Pakistan Friendship Hospital
- Construction of Pak-China Technical and Vocational Institute
Although the city is set to experience many changes and developments over the next couple of years, the government of Pakistan plans to place special focus on the following areas:
Gwadar Port —a ‘green city’
With the help of financial support from China, the government of Pakistan is poised to transform Gwadar from a fishing village into a major metropolis. A large part of this plan involves using reclaimed land from the Arabian Sea. The development of vegetative cover and forests is in the layout plan. Steps will be taken to control the desertification of land. In order to uplift the lives of the local people and provide good agricultural land, weather-resistant cultivable lands will be developed.
In addition, the government, along with the China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC), the Chinese company overseeing development in Gwadar, has vowed to plant a million trees to increase forestation in the city in the next five years. These trees will be resistant to the salty water of the sea.
Electricity supply
Businesses can only flourish when there is a constant supply of electricity. To encourage foreign investment, the city of Gwadar will be linked with the national grid as soon as the necessary modalities will be finalized. As part of the government’s plan to provide electricity to the port city, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Khusro Bakhtiar inaugurated a 300-megawatt coal-based power project in November 2019.
Modern infrastructure
In Gwadar’s master plan, special emphasis has been laid on zoning and laying down of road networks. Water and sewage lines are also included in the plan. Around $114 million will be invested in a desalination plant that will provide potable water to the main city.
To connect Gwadar Port with the Makran coastal highway, the Gwadar East Bay Expressway will be constructed at a price of $140 million. Furthermore, measures will be taken to improve the security of the port city, which was previously plagued by insurgent violence.
In addition to the development of road and sea routes, the construction of Gwadar International Airport is also in the pipeline. It’s a massive project worth $230 million.
Gwadar Special Economic Zone
The Gwadar Special Economic Zone (SEZ) has taken inspiration from special economic zones of China. The land was handed over to the China Overseas Port Holding Company in 2015 for a 43-year lease.
The SEZ included logistic hubs, manufacturing zones, display centers and warehouses. These special economic zones will also be exempted from taxes for a period of 23 years – making Gwadar a tax free zone. If you are a foreign investor, then do read our detailed blog on investment guide for foreign investors.
Restoring the ancient city
An interesting fact about Gwadar is that it was part of Oman from 1783 to 1958. This makes it a historic city that is home to a large number of architectural wonders. The new Gwadar master plan aims to restore the city’s old buildings. The city has numerous sports venues from the Omani era that can be restored in order to maintain the historical grandeur of the city. The Pakistani government has allocated PKR 20 million for Baba-e-Bizenjo Football and Senator Ishaq Cricket Stadium in Gwadar.
Rafi Group’s Green Palms — a Gold Mine for Investors in Gwadar
Owned and being developed by Rafi Group — one of the most prestigious names in the real estate industry — Green Palms Gwadar is the first-ever top-notch gated community in the emerging port city of Gwadar.
The project is setting new and more sustainable patterns for residential development in the region, thereby playing a key role as a catalyst for the growth of the local property sector. Comprising a sea of promising investment opportunities, the project is rightfully getting a high level of market attention.
The real estate value of this ultramodern development is further uplifted by the fact that it is directly connected to the Makran Coastal Highway, situated just 1.25 kilometres away from the intersection of Makran Coastal Highway and Kahan Avenue. The road further links it with Marine Drive Gwadar — the newly developed beachfront project — and other key areas, including the city’s rapidly progressing downtown.
With top-notch infrastructure and living facilities, Green Palms is the most awaited real estate venture in Gwadar, equipped with plenty of urban open spaces, state-of-the-art educational and sports facilities, and a lot more.
Gwadar is the new economic frontier of Pakistan. If you are planning to invest in the city, take a look at the listings available on Zameen.com – the best real estate portal in Pakistan. For more updates and the latest news on the development of Gwadar Port, bookmark this page. Do share your valuable feedback with us at blog@zameen.com.
SM Cover Credits: Facebook Page of Imran Khan Official
