Gwadar is a coastal city located in the southwestern region of Pakistan, in the province of Balochistan. It is located on the Arabian Sea and borders the Iranian province of Sistan and Balochistan to the west. The city has a population of approximately 85,000 people, and its location at the mouth of the Persian Gulf makes it strategically important for trade and commerce.

History of Gwadar: 

The history of Gwadar dates back to ancient times when it was a fishing village. The town was later inhabited by Balochi tribes who used to live there in small villages. Gwadar became part of Pakistan after the country gained independence in 1947. During the 1950s and 1960s, Gwadar was developed as a small port town by the government of Pakistan. However, due to a lack of infrastructure and development, the town remained relatively underdeveloped.

Development of Gwadar:

In the early 2000s, the Government of Pakistan decided to develop Gwadar into a major deep-sea port and a hub of economic activity. The development of Gwadar Port was undertaken as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, which is a part of China's Belt and Road Initiative.

The CPEC project is a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure development project that includes the construction of highways, railways, and pipelines connecting Gwadar to China's northwestern region of Xinjiang. The aim of the project is to provide a shorter and more secure trade route for Chinese goods to reach the Middle East and Europe, and to provide Pakistan with a new economic hub that could generate employment and boost economic growth.

The development of Gwadar has been slow due to various challenges such as security threats, a lack of infrastructure, and environmental concerns. However, significant progress has been made over the past few years in terms of developing the port and other infrastructure projects.

Gwadar Port:

The Gwadar Port is the centerpiece of the CPEC project, and it has the potential to become one of the largest deep-sea ports in the world. The port is currently operated by the China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC) under a 40-year lease from the Government of Pakistan.

The port has two main terminals: The East Bay Terminal and the West Bay Terminal. The East Bay Terminal is operational, and it can handle container ships with a capacity of up to 50,000 deadweight tonnages (DWT). The West Bay Terminal is still under construction and is expected to be completed by 2023. Once completed, the terminal will be able to handle ships with a capacity of up to 200,000 DWT.

Other infrastructure projects:

In addition to the port, several other infrastructure projects are underway in Gwadar, including:

Gwadar International Airport: The airport is currently under construction and is expected to be operational by 2023. It is designed to handle international flights and cargo.

Gwadar Free Zone: The Gwadar Free Zone is being developed as a special economic zone that offers tax incentives and other benefits to attract investment.

Gwadar Expressway: The expressway is a 200-kilometer-long four-lane highway that connects Gwadar to the city of Turbat.

Gwadar Smart City: The Gwadar Smart City is a planned residential and commercial development that will offer modern amenities and infrastructure to its residents.

Challenges and Controversies:

The development of Gwadar and the CPEC project has faced several challenges and controversies. Some critics have raised concerns about the potential environmental impact of the project on the region's delicate ecosystem. Others have criticized the project for failing to create jobs for local residents

 

 

By: Md. Aamir Aman

The writer is the Director of the Ruzhn English Language Center

Bugh Meeri Turbat