Islamabad: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, convened a high-level meeting to deliberate on strategies for operationalizing Gwadar Port. The meeting, held in Islamabad, aimed to develop short- and medium-term plans to effectively operationalize the port within six months.
According to a statement by Press Information Department, the meeting included Secretary Planning Awais Manzur Sumra, Member Infrastructure Waqas Anwar, senior officials from the Planning Commission, and representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Communications, Maritime Affairs, Railways, and Petroleum. Participants also included the Gwadar Port Authority and representatives from various embassies via video link.
The discussions emphasized the need to compare Gwadar’s trade costs with other regional ports, including those in Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Bishkek, and Tashkent. Minister Iqbal highlighted Gwadar’s strategic role as the shortest trade route to Xinyang, China, and called for private sector proposals to enhance trade through the port, assuring governmental support and data provision.
Addressing infrastructure concerns, Minister Iqbal clarified that a desalination plant resolves water issues and most areas now have electricity access. He cited the port’s capability to handle significant cargo volumes, referencing a past performance of efficiently managing 600,000 tons of cargo.
The Minister underscored Gwadar’s potential as a trade hub with Central Asian Republics due to its proximity and capability. He directed the Ministry of Maritime Affairs to create a comprehensive roadmap for Gwadar’s development, focusing on enhancing industrial zones and optimizing traffic along the western provincial route.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to formulate an actionable plan to fully operationalize Gwadar Port, positioning it as a key regional trade hub.
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