QUETTA: Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Kamran Michael has said the government has acquired 2,281 acres of land in Gwadar to be handed over to China for establishing there an export processing zone (EPZ) and other facilities to make the port fully functional.

Talking to newsmen here on Friday, he said the land, 650 acres of which had been acquired from the Pakistan Navy, would be handed over to China at a ceremony to be held in Oct in Gwadar.

The minister said that Chinese companies would set up the export processing zone, warehouses and other facilities at the port to enable it to become fully functional.

Also read: Gwadar port has bright future, says Chinese envoy

He said that private and public sector were beginning to use the Gwadar port for exporting Pakistani products to different countries.

A few months’ back a large quantity of fish was exported from the Gwadar port to China and other countries, he recalled.

Kamran Michael says Chinese companies to set up export processing zone, warehouses and other facilities at the Gwadar port

“This export has restored the fishermen’s trust in the government,” the minister said, adding they were now confident that their catch would be exported through the Gwadar port.

He said that as a result of the government’s efforts, the European Union had lifted ban on the fish import from Pakistan and now Pakistani exporters were exporting seafood to European countries. “Growing exports through the Gwadar port would serve to increase earning of foreign exchange.”

Mr Michael said departmental action would be taken against any ghost employee found in any section under the control of his ministry. A large number of such employees had already been sacked, he added.

“Biometric system has now been introduced in the department and nobody can receive salary by sitting in his/her home and doing nothing,” he declared.

The minister also attended a function of the Christian community held in the Ayub Stadium.

Thousands of people, including women and children and youths, attended the function. Special prayers were offered for the stability and solidity of the country at the event.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2015

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