All major projects in Gwadar will be completed soon, Planning Minister tells review meeting

Islamabad: All major projects in Gwadar will be completed soon to make the city even more beneficial, Pakistani Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal said.

Vhairing a meeting to review the progress of projects in Gwadar, he said due to the consistent efforts of the federal government, the fruitful results of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects particularly in Gwadar can be seen visibly seen.

He mentioned that since 2022 to till date 637,124 metric ton cargo have landed in Gwadar which is high as compared to 2018 -2021 which was only 16,207 metric ton.

The Minister mentioned that the several projects have been completed by the incumbent government in Gwadar particularly projects related to the water and electricity which remained neglected by the previous government deliberately.

He said that in the recent budget the allocation for Balochistan has been doubled which indicated the federal government is committed to uplifts the province which remained neglected in the past.

In the last three months, he highlighted that 18 projects have been completed which are related to the education, health, social sector to facilitate the people of Balochistan.

While reiterating that the government will continue its efforts to uplift the province so their disparity can be removed, he added that the supply of 100 Megawatts (MW) electricity from Iran will improve the lives and business of the people of Gwadar.

The Minister also directed the authorities to focus on the recovery of bills along with electricity supply to the people of Gwadar.

Besides, an awareness campaign should be created among the public to pay their electricity bills, he added.

The meeting was attended by the officials of the all relevant ministries, provincial representatives of Balochistan and Chairman Gwadar Port Authority (GPA).

Advisor Maritime Affairs, Planning Commission, Jawad Akhtar Khokhar gave a detailed presentation over the projects.

It was noted that since the government came into power in April 2022, the CEPC has been revived.

All major projects under CPEC in Gwadar, including Gwadar Power Plant, Distribution of 2000 Boat engines to fishermen of Gwadar, Khuzdar-Panjgur Transmission line (via Nag-Basima) which connect Markran with National Grid, New Gwadar International Airport Project, the China-Pak Friendship Hospital, China-Pak Technical and Vocational Institute in Gwadar, the Gwadar East-bay Expressway Project, Gwadar Free Zone, and Gwadar Port would become a shining pearl in the region, the meeting was told.