01 February 2004	Sunday	09 Zilhaj 1424

ISLAMABAD, Jan 31: The foreign office on Saturday said that Gwadar port was being developed as a commercial port which would enhance Pakistan's economic and trade relations with countries of Central Asia, Middle East and Europe.

Rejecting an AP report, datelined Bombay, which had alleged that Gwadar port was being developed as a naval base for China, the foreign office spokesman said the report was way off the mark and tendentious.

"Gwadar is being developed as a commercial port, which would enhance Pakistan's economic and trade relations with countries of Central Asia, Middle East and Europe. It would provide a two-way access for commercial traffic to Central Asia and contribute in a big way to transform Pakistan into a commercial hub for the region," he said.

The spokesman said Pakistan appreciated the assistance being extended by China in the development of Gwadar port. It was a manifestation of fruitful economic cooperation between the two countries, he added.-APP