12 April 2004	Monday	21 Safar 1425

KARACHI, April 11: Work on the Mekran Coastal Highway project linking Karachi with the port towns of Balochistan is progressing well. This was stated here by Gwadar Town Nazim Babu Ghulam while talking to Dawn here on Sunday.

The nazim returned to Karachi from Quetta after attending a high-level meeting on Sangar housing project.

He said the 653km multi-million Coastal Road Project was started in July 2000. He maintained that the project was expected to be completed by 2005. It would facilitate communication and trade by linking Karachi with ports at Ormara, Pasni, Gwadar and Jiwani, he added.

Babu Ghulam said that mega projects launched in Balochistan by the present federal government would have far-reaching impact on the future lifestyle of people. He said that another important project was Gwadar Port Project that would prove to be a milestone in the history of Pakistan.

Besides, he said that the federal government had also decided to extend Gwadar Airport to provide facility to travelling people. The town nazim said that a resettlement plan would be prepared for civilian population who were likely to be affected by the construction of Gwadar port.

He said that the area was famous for the world's finest varieties of prawns, lobster and fish. The ongoing development in the region would attract investors in processing, preservation, packaging and export of seafood, he added.

Moreover, he said that the area was producing good quality dates and the industry for processing and export of the food items could find a viable place for establishment of a special economic zone.

According to him, the beaches in Gwadar area are the finest in the world, offering sunshine round the year. These beaches could also be developed and utilized by the hotel and tourist industry, he added.

In addition to the port and beach development, he said that Mirani Dam and Kutchi Canal projects as well as road network launched by the government would help boosting national economy.

Expressing gratitude to the president and prime minister for taking keen interest in the development of Balochistan, the town nazim said that these projects would provide massive employment to the local people.

He further said that the federal government's decision to reserve jobs from grade one to 15 for local people in the Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) was also very encouraging. This, he added, would provide jobs to many educated youths of the area.