QUETTA: Prime Minister Imran Khan has approved establishing ship-breaking yard in Gwadar and a policy board for the same is being formulated.

This was announced during a high-level review meeting on the subject, chaired by Chief Minister Balochistan and attended by Federal Minister for Defence Production Zubaida Jalal and Finance Minister Asad Umar.

The meeting was informed CM Balo­chistan would also be a member of this policy board.

The PC1 document of Gwadar Ship-breaking Yard was presented in 2007 but could not proceed due to lack of interest by successive governments.

Now prime minister has approved the project on a partnership basis with the induction of manufacturing, training workshops, and parking stations.

“The government will welcome all projects in the better interests of people of the province.” CM Balochistan said, lauding the centre’s initiative.

The project is expected to fulfil the ­country’s shipping needs while also ­creating job opportunities for the local ­population.

The meeting was also briefed regarding the project completion and land allocation for the ship-breaking yard.

The finance minister said, “All decisions regarding Balochistan and Gwadar would be made with the consultation of the provincial government,” he assured.

The meeting unanimously agreed upon that approval of Gwadar Master Plan and other affairs would be inked jointly by federal, provincial governments as well as all the stakeholders.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2018