GWADAR / QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri has said that with efforts being made by security forces, people’s cooperation and effective policies formulated by the government, the law and order situation in the province has considerably improved.
He said that security for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would be ensured because the project would pave the way for development of the entire region.
Addressing the inaugural session of a two-day seminar held in Gwadar on CPEC Socioeconomic Development organised by the Pakistan Navy on Tuesday, he said that peace and development were interlinked and the government was making allout efforts to restore peace and order in the province for speedy development of Balochistan.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was due to inaugurate the seminar but he could not reach Gwadar because of inclement weather.
Minister for Ports and Shipping Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo, the Chief of the Naval Staff, the Air Chief Marshal, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong, Commander Southern Command Lt Gen Aamir Riaz and other civil, military and foreign dignitaries attended the seminar.
Mr Zehri said the government had created a special division to ensure security of Gwadar and the CPEC. A project to make Gwadar a safe city had already been approved and required funds released, he added.
He said the CPEC had got primary importance in the future development as it was part of China’s gigantic project One Belt One Road (OBOR).
“The OBOR project creates a way towards a just world order in comparison with the colonial world order,” he said.
The CM noted that the project would create over 700,000 direct jobs by 2030 and add 2-2.5 per cent to the country’s annual economic growth.
Task force
In order to ensure security of the CPEC and the Gwadar port, the Pakistan Navy on Tuesday set up Task Force-88 in the port city.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat lauded the initiative taken by the navy in establishing a dedicated task force for the maritime security of CPEC.
He said the navy’s initiative would contribute significantly towards the success of CPEC.
He acknowledged the role being played by the navy in ensuring a safe and secure maritime environment which is an essential pre-requisite for maritime economy to flourish.
“The role of the navy is deeply embedded in the maritime operationalisation of CPEC as it will be required to shoulder greater responsibilities to ensure the protection of the growing maritime trade and provide security to our sea lanes,” said Gen Hayat.
Published in Dawn December 14th, 2016
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