Newly emerged island in Gwadar could be a temporary formation

Lately, Pakistan has been at the epicentre of a series of unfortunate events. Yesterday’s earthquake was one such incident that caused massive devastation across Baluchistan and Sindh. The loss of lives and property is regrettable and I hope and pray that Allah Almighty keeps Pakistan and its people safe and sound, amen.

Apart from the earthquake, major news headlines of today and yesterday were dedicated to the emergence of a “mysterious” island off the coast of Gwadar. While landslides, avalanches, fires, tsunamis and floods are some of the more commonly known effects of floods, island emergence too is a rarely seen phenomenon. This is the first incident of its kind as far as Pakistan is concerned and as per the initial reports, the newly emerged island could possibly a mud volcano. It is a temporary formation that could sink just as quickly as it emerged.

This island may or may not last but Pakistan is gifted with a handful of other islands. Many countries, like France, Greece and Spain etc., have turned their islands into tourist attractions. One of France’s tiniest islands has a population of about only 30 people yet it attracts millions of tourists every year. Pakistan could do something of similar sort with several of its islands which already have rich mangrove forest vegetation and that play home to various species of crocodiles.

Pakistan can utilize these rare gifts of nature and capitalize on them. The UAE in general and Dubai in particular has made a fortune by expanding its beachfront and making artificial islands. Not only has it been given its property a boost by attracting tourism via its man-made islands but it has also used these islands as magnets for tourism.

There is a lot that can be done to turn this land of pure, Pakistan that is, into a money making machine. All of this unfortunately depends upon the law and order situation of the country. For the time being, all we can do is hope that the situation gets better so that whatever little efforts government is actually making do not go to waste.