GWADAR: President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday underlined the need of utilising Gwadar Port as a free zone area for transit trade with Afghanistan and Balochistan in addition to Karachi ports.

He said that the speedy flow of traffic at Gwadar port must be ensured. He urged the authorities to accelerate development activities and remove any hindrances in this regard through consensus-building and consultation with the relevant stakeholders.

The president made these remarks at a briefing on progress work about the Master Plan of Gwadar city and operationalisation of Gwadar Port, a press release issued by Presidents Media Wing said.

He was briefed by Chairman Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) Naseer Khan Kashani and Director General Gwadar Deve­lop­ment Authority (GDA) Shahzaib Khan Kakar regarding development works on Gwadar Port and Gwadar City respectively.

Mr Alvi said that strategy and vision were essential for the successful completion and operationalisation of national projects like Gwadar port.

He lamented the slow pace of development in Gwadar in the past and underscored the need for timely completion of all infrastructure and ­industry related projects on the port as per the given timelines.

The president was briefed about the 19km Eastbay Expressway along the port which will connect with the Coastal Highway and help carry cargo without disturbing the local population of Gwadar.

He was also briefed about the 60 acres free zone area in Gwadar which will include recreational facilities, hospitals, schools and multiple industries.

He advised both GDA and GPA that the needs of local fishermen should also be accounted for in the master plan.

He also thanked the Chinese Government for constructing state-of-the-art China Business Centre (CBC) in Gwadar.

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2021