KARACHI, May 20: A brainstorming session on Gwadar port chaired by Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday was informed that an international airport with extended facilities to accommodate wide-bodied aircraft will be ready by the end of 2004.

Talking to reporters after delivering his speech at a pre-budget seminar of the Management Association of Pakistan, the finance minister said discussions were being held on drawing up an integrated master development plan for the Gwadar port.

A press release issued on Tuesday quoted the CAA deputy DG as saying that extension work at the Gwadar airport would begin by the end of August this year and extended facilities would be available for use by end 2004, just around the time the port would be completed.

These facilities, he pointed out, would include service by Airbus and provision for their maintenance. The new runway will also be able to handle the landing of 747 aircraft.

The NESPAK chairman made a presentation of a master plan based on development of about 45,000 acres that would comprise airport, industrial zones, export processing zones, beach development, resorts, housing facilities and all other civic amenities like schools and hospitals over the next 50 years. The plan suggests provisions of utilities like gas, water and electricity to be generated internally.