Gwadar is comprised of two Balochi words “Gwat (wind)” and “dar (gateway)” collectively referring
as “gateway of wind”. It is
located on the shores of the Arabian Sea, approximately 533 kilometers to the west of Pakistan's largest city Karachi, 120 km from Iranian border and to the east
of oil-rich Persian Gulf
that is just outside the Straits of Hormuz and near to
the key shipping routes in and out of the Persian Gulf.
Interestingly, Pakistan had purchased this territory in September 8, 1958 and took proper
control over area on December 8, 1958, and later by the authorities it was integrated into
Balochistan province on July 1, 1977 as Gwadar
District.
Pakistan has two
international functioning deep-sea ports: Karachi Port and Port Qasim. Gwadar
port was introduced to fulfill required national demands which were lacking in
already operational Ports. As in case of Karachi port its location is prime
problem now as rapid increase in city’s growth over the past years is leading
towards less space crisis for Karachi port, on the other hand the Port Qasim
due to its up-stream location is creating cost-disadvantages for cargoes that
have different origins and destinations.
Against these prime
facts, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor plan; China Overseas Port
Holding Company (COPHC) planned and initiated Gwadar
port project. The construction was planned to be completed in two phases,
PHASE-I was completed in 1999 while PHASE-II started in 2007 and it’s still
under construction. Formerly, the Gwadar port was headed by PSA
international but currently by the transfer of the concession agreement from
the PSA to the COPHC, Gwadar is been operated by Chinese firm COPHC.
Gwadar port at the
time of completion will lead Pakistan towards bright future. As far as its
importance is concerned, it will act as a game changer for Pakistan’s financial
and economical growth.
“Pakistan is looking at the CPEC project as a game changer,
kick starting an era of infrastructure growth and investment. The land deal is
just part of the Gwadar port infrastructure that needs to develop to realize
the expectations of Pakistan and China from this mega project” (Geo-political analyst) Simbal Khan
Gwadar
is strategically an international trade and economical hub of Pakistan. If
goods from western China and Central Asia will pass through the overland trade
route “Gwadar” then Pakistan could earn millions of dollars a year in terms of
port and shipment charges and consignment charges for the import of cargoes and
export of material goods.
Pakistan would be able to explore minerals,
hydrocarbons, and oil and gas resources of Central Asian Republics (CARs). The port will be a
magnet for foreign investment and tourism. It would provide foreign reserves
that would help in the economic prosperity of Baluchistan and Pakistan. It
would help to increase Pakistan’s trade and marketable activities particularly
in Baluchistan province, so provincial grievances will be addressed. Trade and business,
Tourism, and state revenue will increase and will strengthen country’s economy.
In terms of employment, it is
expected that through construction of the Gwadar Port at least two million jobs
will be provided to the deprived people of Baluchistan. The infrastructure of Baluchistan will be improved
by development undergoing on the part of Port Gwadar. Thus it would open new job opportunities in employment sector and help in the
development of Baluchistan.
The Gwadar port is important
not only for Pakistan, but also for China, the Central Asian Republics (CARs)
and the entire region as a whole. The port is strategically important for China
as sixty percent of China's oil comes from the Persian Gulf by ships traveling
over 16,000 kilometers in two to three months, confronting pirates,
bad weather, political rivals, and other risks up to its only commercial
port, Shanghai. Gwadar will reduce the distance to a mere
5000 kilometers. Moreover, Gwadar port will provide logistical benefits to China as well.
Gwadar port can be a
remarkable development in upcoming progressive future of Pakistan. Due to
several securities and other official reasons the construction of phase-II of
Port is going very slow but being hopeful citizen we are confident for the best
outcome by the government in favor of flourishing and improved Pakistan.
Researcher Pakistan
Researcher Pakistan
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