Islamabad: The government has finalized the Gwadar Port Operationalization Plan in a high-level meeting chaired by Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Prof. Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday. The meeting addressed key challenges hindering the full functionality of the port and outlined a roadmap for its activation.
Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan and Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh co-chaired the session, while Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal participated online. Secretaries from relevant ministries, the CEO of the Public-Private Partnership Authority (P3A), and other key stakeholders were also present.
Prof. Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the government’s commitment to transforming Gwadar into a regional trade hub. He stated that the prime minister has directed immediate operationalization of Gwadar Port, urging all stakeholders to take a proactive approach in accelerating progress.
“The success of Gwadar is directly linked to creating employment opportunities for local communities in Balochistan,” he said. He highlighted urbanization, development of IT parks, free zones, and improved infrastructure as critical factors in turning Gwadar into a modern port city.
The meeting also focused on positioning Gwadar as a key trade and transshipment hub for Central Asian Republics (CARs). The National Logistics Corporation (NLC) was tasked with presenting viable options to integrate CARs’ trade routes with Gwadar, strengthening Pakistan’s role in regional commerce.
To facilitate this, a dedicated working group on transshipment was proposed to fast-track trade initiatives. Additionally, the Planning Commission’s Member for Infrastructure, Waqas Anwer, was directed to identify short-term and long-term measures to ensure Gwadar’s smooth functionality.
Other critical directives included identifying locations for rest areas along the Karachi-Gwadar route and enhancing mobile network coverage for improved connectivity. The minister also stressed the need for robust security arrangements to ensure seamless port operations.
The finalized Gwadar Port Activation Plan will now be presented to the Cabinet for approval, marking a significant step toward unlocking the port’s economic potential and establishing it as a major trade gateway for Pakistan and the region.
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