QUETTA: A high-level Chinese delegation visited Gwadar on Tuesday and discussed the possibilities of linking the port through road and rail with China and other regional countries to make it fully functional for future trade and economic activities.

In the meeting between the delegation — headed by Mr Yang Zan, DG Department of International Cooperation Ministry of Transport — and the officials of Gwadar port authorities, the plan of the proposed Pak-China Economic Corridor was also discussed. It was observed that it could not achieve goals of economic development and progress and prosperity until Gwadar port was made fully functional.

Under the Pak-China Economic Corridor Gwadar Port would be linked through road and rail up to Kashgar that would be a shortest route for China to use Gwadar port for its future trade with Pakistan, Afghanistan, Central Asian states, Iran and other regional countries.

It was also observed that Gwadar port could prove to be an economic hub and future’s successful big deep sea port till it was not linked with China and other countries of the region.

Sources said that Chinese officials expressed keen interest in investment in various sectors including energy, road construction and expansion of Gwadar port. The port’s expansion was the part of its actual plan under which more berths would be constructed. They also vowed to take all possible efforts to provide maximum required facilities to make Gwadar Port fully functional.

Briefing the meeting, Gwadar Port Authority chairman Dosteen Khan Jamaldani said Pak-China Economic Corridor has great importance in the success of Gwadar port and it will create many jobs.

He further informed the meeting that the province has great potential in various sectors and specially minerals. “Heavy mineral based industries could be set up in Balochistan,” he said.

The government also determined to make Gwadar Port and perfect port of the region that would provide best trade facilities to entire region. The construction of Pak-China Economic Corridor is also part of its future planning.

The official of the 15 members’ Chinese delegation also visited Gwadar port where they were briefed about the future planning of the government. Joint Secretary Ms Rukhsana Rehman, DS railway Quetta division Faiz Muhammad Bugti, Director General National Highways Authority Mushtaq Ahmed and Deputy Commissioner Gwadar Dr Tufail Ahmed were also attended the meeting.