March 14, 2008	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 5, 1429

KARACHI, March 13: The incoming government has been urged to make the Gwadar Port operational and chalk out a policy and provide security to investors.

The Chief Executive of Gwadar Business Associates (Pvt) Ltd, Col (retd) Fazal-e-Maqbool Afridi, said in a statement on Thursday that the present government deserved praise for constructing the port on priority, but it must be blamed for not operating it, which had taken more than three years to build.

He said the unnecessary delay would further complicate and undermine the project.

Mr Afridi urged the new government to take it as a challenge and pursue it vigorously. He suggested that Gwadar should be made a state within state; having its own rules, regulations and bylaws, etc, to cater for the business community and investors.

He said an effective and capable administrator should be appointed and a team of dedicated professionals from all fields should be selected on merit from all over the country, including a quota for Balochistan. The boundaries of Gwadar should be earmarked and fenced for ensuring security and good environment for business and trade, he added.

The first ship carrying 50,000 tons of wheat will dock at the port on March 15.